England can complete a mini grand slam by beating France at Twickenham tomorrow - and it could prove more significant than anything else they achieve in this season's RBS 6 Nations Championship.

A Championship clean sweep might have eluded England since 1995 - final-hurdle failures during successive campaigns at Wembley, Murrayfield and Lansdowne Road still produce a collective wince among English fans.

But victory over the French would send out a real statement of intent in World Cup year, with England celebrating wins against all four of their closest challengers for global supremacy inside 15 unforgettable weeks.

New Zealand, Australia and South Africa have already been defeated, leaving champions France to try and succeed where the southern hemisphere's finest failed.

In global terms, a 19th successive Twickenham Test match triumph would increase England's standing as major World Cup contenders Down Under later this year.

England boss Clive Woodward, though, has delivered a sobering message to anyone who believes the hard work was done before Christmas.

"We said before the autumn games, that we were about to take on the four top teams in the world," he reflected.

"Nothing has changed, and I think the French game will probably be the hardest of the four. I believe that this match will be up there as a top-quality international."

Woodward's preparations have been affected by injuries - scrum-half Matt Dawson and prop Phil Vickery the most notable absentees - but delve a little deeper and a casualty list including Kyran Bracken, Iain Balshaw, Austin Healey and Trevor Woodman is one which most coaches would make a song and dance about.

But not Woodward, not even over Dawson's withdrawal less than 48 hours before kick-off which has stretched scrum-half resources almost to breaking point.

The England coach added: "If the injury with Matt had to happen, then it happened in a good way because he didn't train all week and Andy (Gomarsall) worked with us in every session.

"The last time Andy started for England was against Argentina last summer and he was outstanding. He also went on for Matt against South Africa in the autumn, and again did exceptionally well.

"Matt will be disappointed to miss this one, but we have every faith in Andy."

Woodward's attitude sums up the England mood - a fierce determination to build on their autumn successes, while also taking a giant stride towards the Six Nations crown and allowing nothing to get in their way.

They had the same Six Nations dreams last year, of course, only to see them shattered in Paris.

It was a defeat - 20-15 says little about how dominant France actually were - that Woodward recalls as England's worst display of 2001.

Almost 12 months on, and France are just as dangerous. But there is a stability and solidity about England now - plus an 18-Test unbeaten run at Twickenham - to believe that Woodward's men will prevail.

The contest, as ever, will be won and lost up-front, where England prop Jason Leonard can celebrate the staggering achievement of 100 caps with a good old-fashioned rumble opposite fellow warrior Christian Califano, and the home back-row can go some way towards avenging last season's Paris humbling.

France's breakaway trio of Serge Betsen, Olivier Magne and Imanol Harinordoquy - they are all back for more tomorrow - were rampant that afternoon, so a few scores require settling.

"It is important to dominate up-front in every game, and if you look at the set-pieces tomorrow, then it is a great match-up," said England assistant coach Andy Robinson.

"The French are big scrummagers, and their line-out has improved dramatically, which was probably a result us taking them on in that department at Twickenham two years ago and coming out well on top."

Both teams will demand quick ball, especially from the tackle area, which makes this week's International Rugby Board edict that referees should yellow-card players for deliberately slowing up possession, as particularly welcome.

"We want a contest, not a Super 12 game with free ball flying everywhere, and it is up to us to get quick ball and not worry about the opposition slowing it," Robinson added.

"If we are technically correct, then we will get the quick ball we want.

"We've met with [match referee] Paul Honiss and the key thing he said was that he wanted a fair contest for the ball.

"He sees the directive as suggesting that if someone kills ball in the first minute, then you yellow-card him in the first minute and not wait until the 70th minute, when you have run out of patience."

By Woodward's own admission, England are much better-prepared for tomorrow's Twickenham encounter than they were heading to Paris last year.

Regular training days, with full co-operation from England's Zurich Premiership clubs, have been described as "priceless" in the England camp, and the fruits of those labours should be witnessed tomorrow.

In a week when England's footballers - all 22 of them - lost to Australia and the cricket team's opening World Cup game did not happen against a backdrop of politics and blatant commercialism, the rugby union players can once again put smiles on faces.

They did it in the autumn with that stirring trio of victories, and the chances are that they will do it again tomorrow.

Who knows, England and Woodward might one day even get the credit they deserve for being rarities in English team sport - genuine challengers on a world stage.

Bernard Laporte has refused to get involved in Clive Woodward's tactical mind games - publicly at least - as his French team bid to end England's Grand Slam hopes yet again.

If Laporte is concerned about his England counterpart's attempts to give his side additional options by including Sale fly-half Charlie Hodgson at centre for the Twickenham encounter, he is certainly not showing it.

"That's not a very important selection," said the 'The Kaiser', whose side effectively shackled playmaker Jonny Wilkinson as France won 20-15 at the Stade de France in the penultimate match of last season's 6 Nations Championship.

"What is important is what France are going to do on the pitch and what the intentions of England will be against us.

"We know that Hodgson is a fly-half so probably he has a very good kicking game.

"Maybe on one side of the pitch Wilkinson will play centre with Hodgson at fly-half and at the other side it will be the other way round. But in the end, it is nothing. It's one number 10 and one centre."

Laporte however insists he has the utmost respect for the English side. England captain Martin Johnson this week hailed the French back row of Serge Betsen, Olivier Magne and Imanol Harinordoquy as the best in the world but Laporte was too modest to accept the compliment.

"It's the same with the England back row," he said. "I think England are the best team in the world."

It is all very diplomatic and a far cry from the not-too-distant days when fiery England hooker Brian Moore and his French rivals hurled vicious verbal barbs across the Channel.

"I never say that I don't like English people or that certain players are no good," added Laporte.

Fans can look forward to some exciting match-ups in England's RBS Six Nations clash with France at Twickenham tomorrow.

England:
J Robinson (Sale Sharks); D Luger (Harlequins), W Greenwood (Harlequins), C Hodgson (Sale Sharks), B Cohen (Northampton), J Wilkinson (Newcastle), A Gommarsall (Gloucester); J Leonard (Harlequins), S Thompson (Northampton), J White (Bristol Shoguns), M Johnson (Leicester, capt), B Kay (Leicester), L Moody (Leicester), N Back (Leicester), R Hill (Saracens).

Replacements: M Regan (Leeds), G Rowntree (Leicester), D Grewcock (Bath), L Dallaglio (Wasps), N Walshe, P Christophers (Bristol Shoguns), J Simpson-Daniel (Gloucester).

France:
C Poitrenaud, A Rougerie, X Garbajosa, D Traille, V Clerc, G Merceron, F Galthie (capt), J Crenca, R Ibanez, C Califano, F Pelous, O Brouzet, S Betsen, O Magne, I Harinordoquy.

Replacements: J Rue, S Marconnet, D Auradou, S Chabal, D Yachvili, F Gelez, T Castaignede.

JONNY WILKINSON v SERGE BETSEN

Biarritz flanker Betsen performed a one-man demolition job on Wilkinson in Paris last season, tackling him out of the game as France secured an outstanding 20-15 success.

Betsen brilliantly stopped fly-half and tactical controller Wilkinson at source, knocking him off his feet time and time again, which meant that England could rarely dictate matters behind the scrum.

French coach Bernard Laporte claims there is no special plan in place exclusively for Wilkinson, but do not bet against it.

France know that if Wilkinson performs, then England usually win.

ANDY GOMARSALL v FABIEN GALTHIE

French captain and scrum-half Galthie was the attacking inspiration behind last season's victory, repeatedly making a mockery of England's close-quarter defence.

Galthie's ability to make snappy half-breaks around the fringes can cause chaos, especially with support runners attacking the ball from all angles and England know that they must halt him early.

It is a big ask for Gloucester scrum-half Gomarsall, who was drafted into the England team on Thursday night after Matt Dawson withdrew through injury, but he does not lack confidence and will relish the challenge.

JASON LEONARD v CHRISTIAN CALIFANO

Two of world rugby's great warriors will get to grips in the front-row battle, with both players intent on savouring every moment.

Leonard will lead England out on the occasion of his 100th cap, a feat that only two other players - Philippe Sella and David Campese - have accomplished, while Saracens prop Califano has been restored to the French side for his first start since 2001.

They will enjoy a rare old tussle as both sides seek scrummaging supremacy, but when the dust has settled, both rugby traditionalists can look forward to a pint and a good chat. Leonard, especially, would have it no other way.

RICHARD HILL v IMANOL HARINORDOQUY

England number eight Hill commanded rave reviews following his performances in the autumn Tests, when New Zealand, Australia and South Africa were all sent packing from Twickenham.

Arguably the world's finest back-row forward on current form, Hill's efficiency in defence, ball-winning areas and making the hard yards in attack, all combine as crucial elements of an England victory bid.

Harinordoquy is the rising star who enjoyed a brilliant season during the French Grand Slam campaign last year and had a memorable game against England in Paris. Will he do it again, or will second-season syndrome set in?

ENGLAND v FRANCE - MATCH FACTS

The countries have met on 79 occasions - England lead the series 43-29, with seven draws.

England's record win was a 37-0 success at Twickenham in 1911, while France boast a best of 37-12 (Paris, 1972).

France were the last team to beat England in a Five/Six Nations match at Twickenham, winning 23-20 in 1997.

England prop Jason Leonard will become the third player to win 100 Test caps tomorrow, following Frenchman Philippe Sella (111) and Australia's David Campese (101).

Leonard will also overtake Rory Underwood's mark for the most championship games by an England player, making his 51st appearance.

Martin Johnson wins his 71st cap tomorrow, putting him equal-fourth on England's all-time list alongside Rob Andrew.

Fly-half Jonny Wilkinson requires 16 points tomorrow to reach 600 for England in Test matches.

England will record a 19th successive Twickenham Test match win if they triumph tomorrow, extending their world record for victories at one venue.

England's last Twickenham defeat came during the 1999 World Cup, when New
Zealand beat them 30-16.

England face France with three of the top five try scorers in their history all lining up together. Will Greenwood, Ben Cohen and Dan Luger have collected 59 touchdowns between them from a combined total of 81 Tests.