A second defeat would virtually end England's RBS 6 Nations hopes this year but Robinson has given a vote of confidence to his players and his coaching team.

Robinson insists he has 'no doubts' about his squad ahead of the crucial clash at Twickenham.

''We are not here to shrink and hide. We are here to stand up and be counted,'' Robinson said.

''This is a great challenge for us. In such a close championship as this is at the moment these games are going to go down to the wire.

''We are all really excited and looking forward to this game. This is why we are in the job. You want to be part of professional sport for matches like this.''

Robinson made no attempt to hide his disappointment at last week's 11-9 defeat by Wales at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, admitting: ''We didn't plan to lose last week but you are in the game because you win or lose at the end of it and that's what excites us.

''We have prepared really well this week and we are really excited about the team. The side is really ready for this as it was for the Welsh game. The preparation has gone tremendously well.''

Robinson made five changes for the clash with France, dropping 18-year-old Newcastle centre Mathew Tait from the squad after his international debut and relegation World Cup-winning scrum-half Matt Dawson to the replacements bench.

''Tough calls had to be made and now we are looking forward,'' Robinson added.

''It's tough on any player to be dropped, particularly having had just one game, but we felt from a coaching situation this was the decision to be made for this game.

''We are all frustrated from last week - apart from the outstanding way we defended - but the team has trained really well and team spirit is really good.