England tortured Eddie Jones more than any other rugby nation - but that hasn't stopped the former Wallabies coach putting his hand up to replace Martin Johnson as the country's head coach.
Johnson's resignation following a poor World Cup campaign was only hours old before the ambitious Jones publicly declared his interest in the job.
The well-travelled Australian is willing to forgive and forget the Poms for inflicting the one defeat that cuts deepest - the 20-17 loss to a Johnny Wilkinson-inspired England in the 2003 World Cup final in Sydney.
Jones was dumped as Wallabies coach two years later after presiding over a run of eight losses from nine games, returning as assistant coach to Jake White and helping guide South Africa to their 2007 World Cup victory.
He clearly believes he can lift England's fortunes after their meek quarter-final exit from this year's World Cup.
"You'd always be interested in coaching England," Jones told BBC Radio.
"It has got a fantastic domestic competition, very, very good players and you have just got to get the right program in place and they should be good enough to win the next World Cup."
"Over the last period of time, England rugby has lost its way and you'd have to question the people in place now."
"That is the challenge of getting it right. If you get it right, the benefits are absolutely enormous. That is the challenge of it and that is the exciting part of it.
"You've got to find the right style of play, just as (Sir Clive) Woodward did over that period (in the lead-up to 2003)."
England's first-choice to replace Johnson, former South Africa and Italy coach Nick Mallett, turned down the approach due to personal reasons.
"We are settled in Cape Town and it is my wish to be able to enjoy time with my wife and kids after four years in Italy," he said.