Clive Woodward could be excused for allowing his mind to drift forward as English rugby enters a potentially momentous year.

Successive triumphs over the three southern hemisphere heavyweights have justifiably raised hopes of World Cup success for England.

But the England manager refuses to look past February and a potentially decisive opening Six Nations date with France at Twickenham.

The game we lost is still the one we talk about Clive Woodward

"The whole mind-set is on France, nothing more than that," Woodward insisted.

"They were the only team to beat us last year so that has kept our feet firmly on the ground.

"It is a colossal game, and looms large as another epic, especially with what is going in 2003.

"But there is no point contemplating the rest of the year. All I am thinking about is beating France and even then, not about the ramifications of winning and losing.

"You can't think beyond that otherwise you will get smacked in the face."

Woodward's cautious approach is justifed given the lows his team have experienced amid the highs of recent years.

After Grand Slam disappointments against Wales, Scotland and Ireland from 1999 to 2001, their Six Nations momentum was halted by France in Paris last March.

England beat the 'big three' on home soil

Despite beating New Zealand, Australia and South Africa on successive weekends in November, Woodward admits the French defeat still rankles.

"The game we lost is still the one we talk about," he said. "The loss to France was a huge setback, a really big loss.

"So I was pleased with the way we bounced back from that. It taught us a hell of lesson."

England start the year ranked number one in the world, having reeled off a world record 18 successive wins on home soil at Twickenham.

But Woodward knows the big test will come Down Under in October and November, even if his focus is firmly on France.

"You can't guarantee anything and make any projections into the future," he added.

"We have got to beat France for starters, because it is all about the next game."