AFTER orchestrating England’s exit from the World Cup with a stunning performance on Saturday night, Australia’s David Pocock is relishing the chance to lock horns with Taulupe Faletau and Wales.

Pocock and his back row partner Michael Hooper were instrumental as the Wallabies survived a second-half fight back to dump the hosts out of the tournament and ensure Wales are also through to the quarter-finals.

Fly-half Bernard Foley scored two first half tries and kicked 28 points as Australia earned a 33-13 victory at Twickenham.

Anthony Watson gave England hope with a try just before the hour mark but their momentum was halted by a yellow card for Owen Farrell ten minutes from time.

And Matt Giteau went over in the corner at the death to rub salt into the wounds for Stuart Lancaster’s men.

The result means Wales and Australia are both though to the last eight and they will meet to decide the Pool A winner at Twickenham next Saturday afternoon.

Pocock and Newport Gwent Dragons star Faletau have been the standout number eights in the tournament.

The Wallabies may have beaten Warren Gatland’s men in ten successive matches but Pocock is taking nothing for granted.

And he is full of admiration for the Wales back row, and in particular his opposite number Faletau.

“Their back row is pretty good on the ball so that’s obviously a focus of theirs and I thought they got some pretty good play against England last weekend,” said the Brumbies ace.

Asked about Faletau he added: “He’s big, strong, and he gets round really well. He’s a good ball carrier, solid in defence…I guess everything you want from a number 8.”

Faletau, his former Dragons teammate Dan Lydiate and skipper Sam Warburton will certainly be in for a tough test next week with England coach Stuart Lancaster hailing the Australian back row as among the best in the world.

“Pocock was outstanding,” said Lancaster. “Every time we threatened their line there was a turnover that he was involved in.”

Pocock said: “It’s something that we’ve been working hard on to try to get whatever combination is out there to work.

“I guess it’s not your traditional back row with me and Hoops [Michael Hooper].

“We’re not the traditional 8 and 7 combination but as a player you want to get out there and I’m happy to play with whoever the coach wants me to play with.

“I thought there was a lot of pressure in the rucks but I thought we managed to disrupt it a little bit and that’s a positive for us.

“But you don’t want to get too carried away because there’s still a long way to go.

“I think the Welsh have a totally different set of threats there with the back row that they have.”