"That was probably the worst loss of my career," England captain George Williams told AAP after Thursday training, recalling the 2022 World Cup semi-final.
England had opened that tournament with a 60-6 win over Samoa before losing 27-26 to Stephen Crichton's golden-point field goal.
The third-ranked English side meets fifth-ranked Tonga at Perth's HBF Park on Saturday night. Tonga are fourth favourites behind Australia, New Zealand and Samoa, while England are fifth favourites.
The loser faces a difficult path to the semi-finals, with only two of the six teams in Pools B and C advancing.
England's other pool opponents are world No. 11 France and No. 6 Papua New Guinea.
Williams left Warrington to sign a two-year deal with the Dolphins, having previously played for Canberra.
His father Peter, who lives in Mandurah, 70km south of Perth, had hoped he would join the incoming Perth Bears.
Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf will oppose Williams on Saturday as Tonga's coach.