England will launch their RBS 6 Nations Championship campaign on Saturday on the back of superlative victories over southern hemisphere heavyweights New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.

During those autumn Tests, Richard Hill presented a powerful case to be acclaimed as the finest back-row forward in world rugby.

So when Hill rates tomorrow's showdown with France a potentially tougher examination than what the Tri-Nations forces could muster, then his team-mates would be wise to listen.

Although France have not won at Twickenham since 1997 - Hill is among a handful of England survivors from that 23-20 defeat in action this weekend - they arrive in London as reigning Six Nations champions.

What is more, France also secured a Grand Slam in the process, something that England last achieved eight years ago.

"I think it is going to be a more challenging game than the autumn series," said Saracens star Hill.

"France had a very successful season last year and won the Grand Slam totally on merit.

"They have since gone on and had a great autumn [drawing with New Zealand and beating South Africa] and they will be wanting to prove on Saturday that it wasn't just a one-year effort."

Hill was on the receiving end of an irresistible French performance in Paris last season, when England were swamped during the early stages and never recovered.

And the French back-row played a key role, with Serge Betsen executing a man-marking strangulation job on England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson, his fellow flanker Olivier Magne proving similarly destructive and try-scoring number eight Imanol Harinordoquy underlining rich potential.

"The back-row caused us a lot of trouble last year and we've got to make sure this time that they don't have the same amount of success," Hill added.

"France dictated the pace of the game in the first 20 minutes in Paris last year. They had quality possession, created the opportunities and finished them off with good execution.

"For that 20-minute period, we just weren't in the game, and it gave us an insurmountable points total to make up.

"It put us very much on the back foot, and it was something that we couldn't bounce back from.

"Their back-row play very well together. They complement each other in terms of their skills. You wouldn't say that any of them are anything like the same type of player."

Almost a year on, though, and England have the chance to avenge that loss, a defeat which England boss Clive Woodward still painfully recalls as his team's worst performance of 2001.

Hill claimed: "This was always going to be a big game - whether it was first our last in the championship fixture schedule.

"Both teams will want to get their campaign off to a good start. We've got to approach it with an idea of how we want to play, and I am sure that France will be the same.

"We have to get everything right on the day."

And Hill does not anticipate England gaining an advantage through French indiscipline, a trait which used to undermine many a Gallic performance.

"Their discipline has improved enormously over the last few years, and that certainly can't be used to your advantage any more," he added.

"When you look at their side, Fabien Galthie is extremely instrumental in the way that France play, with the leadership he brings to them and the opportunities he spots.

"Within the forwards, they've got some very powerful runners, players that will very much take the ball to you, as well as being very good and astute defenders.

"And then there are the French backs, who have always played with flair and inventiveness. I don't think anything has changed in that department.

"All the ingredients are there. Hopefully it should be a great game."