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Australia's visit to English shores on Friday for the first time since 2003 represents more than just a sporting match-up made famous by the Ashes and the Rugby World Cup final of the same year.
And more than the latest stepping stone for Roy Hodgson's side as they continue preparations for next month's European Championship
It will also rekindle memories of the first appearance in a Three Lions jersey of one of England's greatest ever players - a certain Wayne Rooney.
The Manchester United forward/midfielder was one of 11 substitutes brought on at half-time by then manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, as England suffered a humiliating first reverse to their Antipodean cousins in six meetings.
Rooney was brought on for Michael Owen on that chilly East London night to become England's youngest ever player (a record he has since lost) and impressed in parts alongside an unfamilar bunch as Eriksson's preparations for Euro 2004 continued.
Tony Popovic lost Gary Neville to head Stan Lazaridis' free-kick past David James early in the first-half, before the visitors doubled their lead four minutes before the break
Australia players celebrate their victory against England 13 years ago (Getty) Rio Ferdinand, on a return to his former ground, lost possession to Harry Kewell, who went round James to score.
Jermaine Jenas took a Rooney pass to cross for Francis Jeffers to half the deficit on his own international debut, only for substitute John Aloisi to beat Ledley King and set up Brett Emerton to restore the two-goal advantage and confirm England's misery.
Rooney's fortunes would improve - winning his next six appearances with England and opening his account in Macedonia later that year - the first of what has been a record-breaking amount of goals for his country.
Show all 21 1 /21England v Australia, 2003: Where are they now? England v Australia, 2003: Where are they now? David James The then West Ham goalkeeper went on to play for Manchester City, Portsmouth (with whom he lifted the 2008 FA Cup), Bristol City, Bournemouth, ÍBV Vestmannaeyjar, and Indian outfit Kerala Blasters, where he was player-manager. He won the last of his 53 caps against Germany in 2010. The 45-year-old is now a pundit with BT Sport.
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England v Australia, 2003: Where are they now? Gary Neville The right-back went on to earn 85 England caps, as well as becoming assistant to current England coach Roy Hodgson. He remained at Manchester United, latterly as captain, till the end of his playing days, lifting a total of 20 major trophies. Since his retirement in 2011, Neville has featured as a pundit with Sky Sports before venturing into management with an unsuccessful four-month spell at Spanish side Valencia. Also co-owns Salford City.
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England v Australia, 2003: Where are they now? Rio Ferdinand The Peckham-born centre-back enjoyed an illustrious career with Manchester United, winning the Champions League in 2008, before moving to QPR in 2014. After suffering relegation in his first season with the Hoops, he announced his retirement. Now working as a pundit with BT Sport.
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England v Australia, 2003: Where are they now? Sol Campbell The one-time Tottenham Hotspur defender went to form part of Arsenal’s ‘Invincible’ season in 2003/04 and won further FA Cups in 2003 and 2005 before scoring in the 2006 Champions League final defeat against Barcelona. Joined Portsmouth and won the FA Cup again – alongside James – before a brief, bizarre stint with Notts County, Rejoined Arsenal and had a spell with Newcastle United before his 2012 retirement. Tried a brief foray into politics and owns several large properties.
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England v Australia, 2003: Where are they now? Ashley Cole One of the only players still active, the left-back is currently plying his trade in the MLS for the LA Galaxy. Endured a controversial and acrimonious departure from Arsenal (part of the Invincibles alongside Campbell) to Chelsea in 2006. Also spent 18 months at Roma before his move stateside. Clocked up an impressive 107 England caps – sitting sixth on the all-time list. Has won three Premier Leagues and seven FA Cups, as well as the Champions League and Europa League with Chelsea.
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England v Australia, 2003: Where are they now? David Beckham Remained as England captain for a further three years before quitting in tears after the 2006 World Cup exit to Portugal and went on to earn 115 England caps, behind only Peter Shilton. The iconic figure lifted league titles in England, Spain (with Real Madrid), the US (LA Galaxy), and France (PSG). Now part-owner of a new football franchise in Miami, Florida and also founded the David Beckham Academy, as well as working with UNICEF.
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England v Australia, 2003: Where are they now? Frank Lampard Midfielder went on to win 106 caps and wrote his name in the Chelsea history books, captaining the side to their maiden Champions League victory in 2012 and becoming the club’s all-time record scorer. After a loan spell at Manchester City, Lampard signed for New York City, where he has struggled to settle. He was booed off the pitch last week after his side were thrashed 7-0 by neighbours New York Red Bulls. Appears as captain on a television sports quiz.
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England v Australia, 2003: Where are they now? Paul Scholes Remained at United till 2011, only to return six months later and feature for a further 18 months. Retired from international football in 2004 after being played out of position, although admitted he may have made a mistake in quitting. Won 66 England caps and a total of 11 Premier League titles as well as the 2008 Champions League. Has since worked as a newspaper and television pundit and also co-owns Salford alongside Neville.
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England v Australia, 2003: Where are they now? Kieron Dyer Then at Newcastle United, the injury-plagued midfielder went on to play for West Ham, Ipswich, QPR, and Middlesbrough before retiring in 2013. Most remembered for fighting with team-mate Lee Bowyer on the pitch at Newcastle in 2005. Currently working as under-16 coach at Ipswich and has appeared on television reality show. Won a total of 33 caps, but failed to fulfill his potential.
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England v Australia, 2003: Where are they now? James Beattie After going close to winning the Golden Boot with 23 goals in the 2002/03 season, Beattie moved to Everton in 2005. After a disappointing spell at Goodison Park, he moved to Sheffield United and also had spells at Stoke, Rangers, Blackpool and Accrington Stanley. He would take a player/coach role at the latter, and appointed manager in 2013 before leaving by mutual consent in 2014. Spent time coaching at Swansea under previous manager Garry Monk toward the end of the present campaign.
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England v Australia, 2003: Where are they now? Michael Owen Liverpool forward moved to Real Madrid for a season from 2004 before returning to the Premier League and Newcastle, where he again struggled with injury. A free transfer to Manchester United followed in 2009, where he won the Premier League title. Owen now works as a pundit with BT Sports and is a passionate horse breeder.
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England v Australia, 2003: Where are they now? Substitutes: Paul Robinson Left Leeds for Tottenham and spent three years as England’s first-choice keeper. Spent seven years at Blackburn and has been on Burnley’s books since January.
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England v Australia, 2003: Where are they now? Danny Mills Left Leeds for Middlesbrough and then Man City before loan spells at Hull, Charlton and Derby. Retired in 2009 after a persistent knee injury and currently works as a pundit for the BBC.
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England v Australia, 2003: Where are they now? Wes Brown Remained at Man United – winning another Champions League and a total of seven Premier League titles - until move to Sunderland in 2011, where he still plys his trade. Won a total of 23 caps, the last of which came in 2010.
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England v Australia, 2003: Where are they now? Ledley King Injury-troubled centre-back became captain of Tottenham and remained there until his early retirement in 2012. Currently works for the club in an ambassadorial role. Won 21 caps and played at Euro 2004 as well as the 2010 World Cup.
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England v Australia, 2003: Where are they now? Paul Konchesky Presently on the books of champions Leicester, he went on to play for Spurs, West Ham, Fulham, Liverpool, Nottingham Forest and QPR after leaving Charlton. Scored in 2006 FA Cup final for Hammers.
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England v Australia, 2003: Where are they now? Owen Hargreaves Continued to prosper at Bayern Munich and impressed at 2006 World Cup as he won 42 caps. Moved to Manchester United in 2007 but struggled with injuries and also spent brief spell at Manchester City. Now a regular pundit for BT Sport.
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England v Australia, 2003: Where are they now? Danny Murphy Now forging a successful career as a television pundit for BBC, the midfielder left Liverpool in 2004 to join Charlton before spells at Tottenham, Fulham and Blackburn. Quit the game in 2013, having won just nine caps.
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England v Australia, 2003: Where are they now? Jermaine Jenas Another former Spurs midfielder making his way on the BBC, he joined the London club from Newcastle in 2005. Also featured for Aston Villa, boyhood team Nottingham Forest and QPR. Scored first goal of Fabio Capello’s reign but ended with just 21 caps and retired earlier this year.
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England v Australia, 2003: Where are they now? Darius Vassell Forward’s most remembered for missing penalty in England’s Euro 2004 exit to Portugal – the last of his 22 caps. Left Aston Villa for Manchester City in 2005 and then played for Ankaragücü and Leicester. Retired in January.
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England v Australia, 2003: Where are they now? Francis Jeffers A fellow debutant, the Arsenal forward scored England’s only goal against Australia, an appearance which proved his only run out for the Three Lions. Failed to impress at Highbury and went on to play for no less than 10 other sides before ending his career with a short spell at Accrington Stanley. Has volunteered for Everton’s academy in recent years.
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But what became of his team-mates from that night in East London? Not all of them have enjoyed as much success in their careers.
We look at the 22 players who featured and what they have achieved since.
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