The same England side that strangled the life out of an expectant Australia last weekend will take to the field this Saturday to try and exact a similar punishment on host France in the Rugby World Cup semi-final in Paris.
With no injuries to contend with the decision to retain the starting XV was an easy one for coach Brian Ashton. It is the first time in his 15 Test tenure that the Englishman has had such a luxury.
Fullback Jason Robinson will become the latest player to win 50 caps in what would be his farewell Test match before retirement should France win. It is quite a turnaround for a player who looked out of the tournament after hobbling of the pitch with a hamstring strain during the 36-0 defeat to South Africa in the pool stages.
Robinson's fellow 2003 World Cup-winner Mike Catt is retained in midfield alongside Mathew Tait after answering a late call to replace the injured Andy Farrell against the Wallabies.
And the pack that destroyed Australia's forwards in Marseille is also retained, with England hoping for another mighty scrummaging performance from their front row of Andrew Sheridan, Mark Regan and Phil Vickery.
Lawrence Dallaglio is again omitted in favour of Nick Easter who packs down in the backrow alongside Leicester pair Martin Corry and Lewis Moody.
"It certainly makes a difference (to be able to name an unchanged team). The 22 out there last week more than merit another shot at it this week," Ashton said today. "We need to improve in all areas, we know that. I can't imagine we will catch France off-guard in the same way we caught Australia off-guard.
"France are the home country, at the home stadium, the crowd are behind them, we will have to go up a gear. We know that."
Robinson will lead the team out at the Stade de France and said: "This is what I came out of retirement for. It is a massive, massive game."
France coach Bernard Laporte was equally happy with his side's performance against New Zealand in Cardiff and earlier, he too, named an unchanged side and bench for the Stade de France clash.
Frederic Michalak was unable to displace Lionel Beauxis at outhalf, despite turning the game when he came on as a second-half substitute in the 20-18 win over the All Blacks.
Damien Traille, a centre by trade, keeps his place at fullback, while Serge Betsen and Olivier Milloud have recovered from knocks sustained last weekend to start against the defending champions.
A win on Saturday would mean England make history, given that no country has successfully defended the Webb Ellis Trophy.
But France have recovered brilliantly from losing their opening game of the tournament against Argentina last month, reeling off four successive wins, including taking the scalp of World Cup favourites New Zealand.
England: J Robinson; P Sackey, M Tait, M Catt, J Lewsey; J Wilkinson, A Gomarsall; A Sheridan, M Regan, P Vickery (capt), S Shaw, B Kay, M Corry, L Moody, N Easter. Replacements: G Chuter, M Stevens, L Dallaglio, J Worsley, P Richards, T Flood, D Hipkiss
France: D Traille; V Clerc, D Marty, Y Jauzion, C Heymans; L Beauxis, J-B Elissalde; O Milloud, R Ibanez (capt), P de Villiers, F Pelous, J Thion, S Betsen, T Dusautoir, J Bonnaire. Replacements: J-B Poux, D Szarzewski, S Chabal, I Harinordoquy, F Michalak, C Dominici, C Poitrenaud.
