Coach: Clive Woodward - Innovative, unpredictable, impetuous. When things are going well there are few better at extracting the best from his teams, but prone to kneejerk reaction under pressure. Last season: Champions. Strengths: The most powerful side in the championship, particularly up front with Martin Johnson and the back row. Grind teams into submission, but also boast tremendous defence. If they get the 10-12-13 axis right, then they could inflict serious damage. Good finishers in Cohen and Luger.

Weaknesses: A tendency to be one-dimensional and when the pack doesn't make the required headway, have looked a little ponderous behind the scrum. Iain Balshaw is largely untested at this level, while the Mike Catt-Will Greenwood partnership is still at the embryonic stage. Key player: Jonny Wilkinson - Has been criticised for not being able to extract the best from his three-quarter line. A superb tackler, his place-kicking stats make impressive reading and if he can very his game a little better, then England can grab the Grand Slam.

Forecast: Can anybody beat England? The bookmakers don't think so and it is difficult to quibble with their assertion. If they remain focussed and adaptable and retain ruthless efficiency up front, it is difficult to see anyone beating them. Champions again.