The tournament holders have enjoyed a run of 22 unbeaten Tests at home stretching back over four years to a 30-16 defeat by New Zealand.

But Dawson, who started the first two RBS 6 Nations matches on the bench before overtaking Andy Gomarsall, railed against over-confidence.

The Irish will be coming to Twickenham with more confidence than theyve ever done before, said Dawson.

Their first-half performance against Wales was by far the best rugby which was played over the weekend and something England are very wary about.

The preparation has been upped since the first two weeks because we realise we are playing the form side. If we want to be successful weve got to raise our game.

I dont feel invincible when I walk out at Twickenham. I feel very proud and honoured to be playing at the home of English rugby but stats dont mean anything to me.

I will not look back at my career and say I played in the England team who werent beaten at Twickenham for so many games.

Its just not why I play rugby. I play rugby to win.

The 31-year-old, who spent much of the last decade battling with Kyran Bracken for the scrum-half spot, admitted that he owes his comeback in part to his current rival Gomersall.

Ive never been a person who would say Ive done it, Ill always want to improve, said Dawson.

Whats obvious about Gomarsall is that he has fantastic service and I want to get mine up to that level. So I pick his brains about it. What practice does he do? What specific weights?

Over the last three or four weeks I have learned from that department. And hes been quizzing me about the experience Ive got. Everyone now feeds off one another. Were all picking each others brains and thats the way to set the standards even higher.

Kyran and myself were always very competitive. But pretty much every position is now and its difficult to put your finger on whos going to be playing from week to another.

Im used to people always snapping at my heels or Im happy to snap at theirs and thats where, even if people dont like all of my character, it comes into its own.

I do tend to bounce back and fight for something if I want it.