Vickery’s men launch their title bid against Wales at Twickenham on Saturday week, having last lifted the silverware four years ago.

That Grand Slam-winning season proved a thrilling prelude to England’s 2003 World Cup success.

Subsequent attempts to conquer Europe have fallen well short of expectations, but after reaching the World Cup final against all odds in Paris just three months ago, England know it is time to deliver.

Vickery said: “We are fully aware our record has not been good.

“We’ve been beaten by some good teams, but also produced some poor performances. We are under no illusions about how tough it is going to be this season.

“Whatever people said or whatever people wrote about the World Cup, it was just the most amazing experience I’ve ever had in a rugby competition.

“I was as disappointed as everyone when we walked off after the final. It was over, and we had lost, but I was extremely proud of everyone.

“There is a lot of anticipation and excitement around the England team. We want to pull the jersey on and get out there.”

England have injury concerns surrounding lock Simon Shaw, number eight Nick Easter and scrum-half Peter Richards ahead of the Wales clash, while World Cup wing Paul Sackey is recovering from mumps that sidelined him for Wasps’ European Cup defeat against Munster in Limerick last weekend.

Head coach Brian Ashton is due to name his starting line-up next Tuesday.
He must endure a full round of Guinness Premiership fixtures this weekend first though, which includes Wasps’ trip to leaders Gloucester and Sale Sharks hosting Harlequins.