Andy Robinson today backed an England pack shorn of three Lions forwards to relish a sizeable Six Nations challenge against Ireland at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.

Martin Johnson, Lawrence Dallaglio and Phil Vickery will all be absent when England bid for a first Grand Slam since 1995.

Injuries of varying degrees have sidelined the key trio, yet forwards coach Robinson remains upbeat that England can respond positively.

Prop Julian White, lock Simon Shaw and flanker Martin Corry all gain opportunities because of the English casualty count, tackling an Irish team buoyant after walloping Wales in record fashion just four days ago.

``Neil Back has come through strongly in terms of the way he is leading the pack, and Martin Corry with regard to the lineout calls,'' Robinson said.

``We know that Ireland have got a number of outstanding players who can cause us problems, but I am very pleased with the strength of our squad and with the way things have gone in terms of our preparation.''

England will win the Six Nations title for a second successive season if they beat Ireland.

Ireland warmed up for the Lansdowne Road showdown by inflicting a 36-6 Millennium Stadium beating on Wales, a record win in the 120-year history of that fixture.

And England boss Clive Woodward warned: ``Ireland will play far better than they did against Wales _ they will step up another gear. We will need to up our level, making sure that we hit the ground running.''

Experienced Wasps lock Shaw faces the daunting task of filling Johnson's boots, with Leicester forward Corry replacing Dallaglio, although he will pack down at blindside flanker and Richard Hill switches to number eight.

Danny Grewcock, who missed the French game, returns as Shaw's second-row partner, while White retains tighthead prop duties, again through an injury to Vickery.

Fitness worries have not dictated Woodward's thinking behind the scrum though, where Jason Robinson and Dan Luger forge a fearsome wing strike-force.

Lions sensation Robinson makes his first England start following three high-profile substitute appearances last season, meaning no place in the 22 for Ben Cohen.

Luger lasted just seven minutes against Wales last February before suffering a neck injury that ruled him out of the remainder of England's foot and mouth-affected Six Nations campaign.

His comeback is at Austin Healey's expense, but Iain Balshaw keeps the full-back jersey despite a miserable Lions tour and average club form this term.

Woodward played down the injury setbacks, labelling them as ``all part of the job,'' and claimed that the selection process had proved relatively straightforward.

Matt Dawson's previous Test captaincy experience earmarked him as the obvious replacement for Johnson _ ``you need someone who has been there and done it,'' said Woodward.

Having been at the helm when England blew their Grand Slam hopes in Scotland, Dawson now has a chance to make amends. It is a motivational tool that the whole England team will surely use.