Anthem:God Save The Queen

6N History (2000-04): Third place last year was worst finish. Three times champions, Grand Slam in 2003.

Coach: Andy Robinson. Grafting flanker as a player, and since succeeding Sir Clive, proved no-nonsense head coach. Regime popular with players, first Six Nations in charge.

Age: 30 Caps: 36 Tries: 22

Captain: Jason Robinson. 'Billy Whizz' took to captaincy like a duck to water. In continued absence of Jonny Wilkinson, a sure-fire source of further inspiration.

Big man: Simon Shaw, at 6ft 9in, is a gentle giant, but may have trouble shifting Steve Borthwick or Danny Grewcock (both 6ft 6in) from the boiler room. Julian White's 18 stone-frame is pretty formidable too.

Are you looking at me?

Enforcer: Danny Grewcock. One of only three players to have been sent off for England. A brooding presence off the field and a scary one on it. Always up for a scrap.

Brains and brawn: Steve Borthwick graduated from Bath University in 2003 with a degree in economics and politics, but does his number-crunching at the line-out.

Try finding a needle in Lewis Moody's stack Six Nations hair-raisers

Bad hair day: It is safe to assume Grewcock doesn't get his done by Nicky Clarke, while Ollie Smith and Lewis Moody could both probably get a gig with 'The Wurzels'.

Southern intruders: An untimely broken leg deprived centre Stuart Abbott - born in Cape Town, a South Africa Under-23 cap with a mother from Manchester - a chance to shine.

Bogey fixture: Not lost to Wales in Cardiff since 1993 but Grand Slam mishap against Ireland in Dublin three years ago is still fresh in the memory.

Prospects: Tough schedule, but still potential champions. If victorious in Cardiff and Dublin, another Grand Slam beckons.

Odds to win title: 11-8 favourites