England have won their last three encounters with the French in the Six Nations, including last year’s humiliating 34-10 success at Twickenham.

But despite seeing France struggle to overturn their cross-Channel rivals in recent years – Lievremont is confident the 2009 tournament will be very different indeed.

“After some games you can still be positive because you know there are lots you can learn and you can make a defeat useful,” said Lievremont, speaking at the RBS 6 Nations launch at the Hurlingham Club.

“Often a defeat is more useful than a win in terms of learning but against England last year it was a disaster.

“Nothing went right, everything went wrong, it was one for the dustbin because I could take nothing positive from it.

“We couldn't build on anything, there was nothing? Our problem with England is that they keep beating us and that’s a big problem for me.

“I think in the 1990s it was even worse because we lost ten in a row - so it is not that bad yet.

“I don't believe in any curses though. The game is far away for us but if we perform to our best, we can beat England .”