Having presided over England's worst slump for 34 years defiant head coach Andy Robinson has insisted he can handle the pressure, despite guiding the ailing rugby world champions to six successive Test defeats ahead of tomorrow's clash with Argentina at Twickenham.

A seventh defeat would not only equal a similarly dismal sequence established during the 1971 and 1972 seasons, but inevitably raise fresh doubts about Robinson's future as England boss.

His success rate since replacing World Cup-winning coach Clive Woodward two years ago stands at less than 50 per cent, while England have to go back nine months for their last victory - a Six Nations win against Italy in Rome.

Robinson's lieutenants Phil Larder, Joe Lydon and Dave Alred disappeared during a coaching cull after that tournament, yet Robinson remained, although it will be debatable for how much longer if an immensely physical Pumas side leave their calling card all over Twickenham this weekend.

"We are in this job because we love the challenge," he said. "If I could not cope with the pressure, I would have walked away three or four months ago, but you deal with what happens. In this job, you must learn and move on.

"I expect the supporters to back us during this process, because they do, as a rule.

"I hope they realise there will be some tough times against Argentina, and we need their backing, which means a lot to the players.

"We had some excellent periods against New Zealand last weekend, but we are looking for an 80-minute performance and more accuracy in the execution of what we are trying to do.

"We recognise the patience of the supporters is not limitless, and of course there would be a backlash if we keep losing, but we don't think that way."

Robinson's optimism might not be shared by too many England fans among an anticipated 72,000 crowd tomorrow, especially given the Goliath-slaying potential of a Pumas side containing 13 players who ply their trade in Guinness Premiership or French Championship circles, and a playmaker in Felipe Contepomi, who regularly calls the tune for Leinster's harmonious backline.

England's set-piece work will come under the microscope, especially at scrum time, where props Perry Freshwater - who makes a first Test start, aged 33 - and Julian White could have their hands full against respective opposite numbers Omar Hasan and Marcos Ayerza.

Argentina will also demand big performances from in-form brothers Ignacio and Juan Fernandez-Lobbe amid the heat of forward battle, while England scrumhalf Shaun Perry can expect a rare old tussle against one of his Bristol number nine predecessors, Pumas skipper Agustin Pichot.

Perhaps the real key though, is at outhalf, where Contepomi possesses an all-round game to eclipse Charlie Hodgson, especially if Hodgson goes absent without leave, as he did for spells during last Sunday's record 41-20 home defeat against New Zealand.

England captain Martin Corry added: "The pressure on us comes from the fact we didn't play well enough last week against the best team in the world.

"We have done our homework — we've studied Argentina — and what matters more is that we need to be better than we were last week and focus on ourselves.

"We didn't put New Zealand under as much pressure up front as we did against them 12 months ago, but this week the real battle will be up front. It is where Argentina love to play and it is an area we must be wary of.

"There is so little between Test teams these days that you must take your chances when they come."

Robinson will surely be hoping his side succeed in that this time round.