He feels fresher and fitter than he has for a long time as he completes the countdown to the Grand Slam decider against Ireland in Dublin.

Back damaged his shoulder as England completed a notable hat-trick of autumn victories by following up the wins over New Zealand and Australia by crushing South Africa at Twickenham and has also missed the RBS 6 Nations win over Italy.

But he has no complaints and used the time away from the action to good purpose.

"I haven't had many injuries in my career but after the South Africa game I had a five-week break which was a great opportunity mid-season, which I haven't had before, to do some conditioning work on the back of a unique summer off.

"I'm in great shape, good form and looking forward to the game," he said.

Back is determined there will be no slip-ups this time after enduring the third in a series of final-match Grand Slam heartbreaks two years ago when England came unstuck in Dublin.

"That's history. This is a different time. We have not even thought about it," he insisted.

"We obviously have learnt lessons from the last couple of years and it's amazed me how relaxed and laid-back this squad has been this week from the most senior players and management right down to the guys who have got the fewest caps."