The world champions can expect another reality check of their current global status when they tackle unbeaten RBS 6 Nations leaders and title favourites France at Twickenham on Sunday.

After a record defeat against Ireland a fortnight ago, an England side devoid of injured trio Phil Vickery, Jonny Wilkinson and Andy Farrell is charged with halting yet another French Grand Slam march.

Victories over England and Scotland would see France secure a third championship clean sweep in six seasons, underlining them as an infinitely better bet to conquer planet rugby on home soil later this year than the present Webb Ellis Trophy holders.

As ever, England head coach Ashton adopts a realistic approach to the situation he finds himself in.

He said: It is a case of making sure we do as well as we can on Sunday, but I have also got to cast an eye at the World Cup because we need to get a squad together pretty quickly.

I feel we are probably at the stage where we were pre-1999 World Cup, where we are still not quite sure of the starting XV and certainly not the World Cup squad.

We have tried to be honest and realistic all the way through, and that is the position we are in.

There is a lot of ground to make up, and it is a concern, but we are where we are, and we have got to sort it out the best we can in the short-term.

England have not beaten France since the 2003 World Cup semi-final success in Sydney - only Josh Lewsey, Jason Robinson and Mike Catt remain from that starting line-up - while seven of the present England side have less than 10 caps.

And the degree of difficulty is confirmed through Ashtons assessment that France are currently Europes top team.

He added: France are a very good side. In my opinion, they are the best team in the northern hemisphere.

Their footballing ability right the way through the side probably gives them that little bit of an edge, and we know what a difficult job it is going to be.

I hope, by and large, these players will go out on Sunday and show they want to play a game that is going to challenge a side like France.