6N History (2000-05): 1st, 1st, 2nd (Triple Crown), 1st (Grand Slam), 3rd, 4th (worst campaign since 1987).
Coach: Andy Robinson. Grafting flanker as a player, and looking for the inspiration to match his players' perspiration. Needs strong showing after poor first campaign last year.
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Age: 32
Caps: 40
Tries: 4
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Captain: Martin Corry. Only established as a player since autumn 2004 but retained captaincy after taking over for final two games of last campaign.
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.
Enforcer: Danny Grewcock. One of only four 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, and now does his number-crunching at the line-out.
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Try finding a needle in Lewis Moody's stack
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Bad hair day: It is safe to assume Grewcock doesn't get his done by Nicky Clarke, while Lewis Moody (right) could probably get a gig with 'The Wurzels'.
Southern intruders: Durban-born prop Matt Stevens played for the junior Springboks but has long since swapped Western Province for the West Country with Bath.
Bogey fixture: Four defeats in last five visits to Paris bodes ill for "Le Crunch" on 12 March. Ireland also stormed "Fortress Twickenham" two years ago to burst the World Cup bubble.
Prospects: Chances will hinge on beating Wales first up. If victorious, a Grand Slam decider in Paris awaits. May have to settle for a Triple Crown encounter with Ireland.
Odds to win title: 7-4 second favourites, 4-1 for Grand Slam, 4-6 Triple Crown.