England expects

That has been fuelled by considerably improved Welsh performances during the Autumn series and by an ever increasing English injury list accounting for players of the calibre of Jonny Wilkinson and Mike Tindall, following the international retirement of players like Martin Johnson, Laurence Dallaglio and Neil Back.

Even if a Welsh sense of optimism has been slightly dented by the injury loss of flankers Colin Charvis and Martyn Williams, the feeling of expectation that Wales can at last lower England's colours remains none the less.

Robinson told the Argus at yesterday's Six Nations launch in London that he is now anticipating an even better performance from Wales.

"That makes for an even better game, and we will have to be at our best," he said.

"We will have to be 100% and give intense concentration and have the right attitude to perform under that sort of pressure.

"There is going to be a lot of interference in this game and all kinds of speculation in the media, but what happens on the pitch under pressure will be the key.

"People will question the team selection and the players, they will ask 'do they have it' and 'can they cope' while there will also be question marks about the Welsh team."

Robinson believes the fantastic atmosphere in the Millennium Stadium could even inspire his side as much as Wales.

"It's an inspirational place to play and we want to play in that kind of atmosphere, it could inspire us, too. We also have to prove that we can play away," he said.

Robinson remembers his one appearance in Cardiff playing for England back in 1989. "The atmosphere was great that day, but we lost, we got defeated by a good Welsh side on the day," he said.

Robinson does not expect Wales to be weakened by the loss of Charvis and the unavailability of Williams as well.

"Having played in Wales and coached there, their teams always have a strong back row. Now they will have a young player (expected to be the Ospreys' Richie Pugh) who will have the opportunity to be revved up and get into English faces." he said.

"We know a lot about Colin and Martyn and we won't know much about their successor, but though he will have to deliver there will be no pressure on him."

Robinson expects his namesake, Jason Robinson, to be fit to lead England after suffering a groin injury.

He said he already knows his line-up, to be announced next week, but it is expected that Newcastle's teenage starlet Matthew Tait could start in the centre, one of their problem positions, and that Ben Kay could get the nod over Steve Borthwick at lock.

Wales coach Mike Ruddock repeated for the benefit of the English media at the launch the excitement there was in Wales about the national team again, though he tried to play down the level of expectation.

"People in Wales on the street are excited about the team and the rugby they are playing, but everyone recognises that we are not the finished article and still need to improve," he said.

"We need a big result and a successful run.

"There's a belief that if we get every part of the jigsaw right we should get a result against England.

"It's a big game and it's against the world champions. There is a huge desire and the boys will give it 100% and play with pride.

"We want to test ourselves against the world champions and see if we can beat them.

"Despite the loss of some great players, England are still very powerful and will be respected by us. They beat the Tri Nations champions which we couldn't, they may have selection problems in midfield but otherwise they are very powerful."

He will have no hesitation in throwing Pugh in for his Six Nations debut.

"He's an excellent player, his fitness stats are right up there with some of the best in the world.

"He's a new breed of player coming through in Welsh rugby. We've been maligned as not being as dedicated as some other countries but Richie Pugh is one of that new breed and I've got no worries at all about his ability."

Wales captain Gareth Thomas praised the spirit currently in the Welsh camp.

"It is disappointing to lose great senior players like Colin and Martyn, but we all believe in each other and after a couple of days back in camp this week it feels like we have been training together all season," he said.

"Wales against England is massive, though there is extra pressure. England are missing key players and there will be a huge build-up to the game, but we just want to enjoy it, we play better then."