Jason Robinson: England need to be driven by revenge

Jason Robinson thinks England's motivation to avenge their World Cup loss to Wales will give the hosts the edge at Twickenham on Saturday in the RBS 6 Nations.

England lost to Wales in heart-breaking fashion during last autumn's World Cup. Defeat to Australia the following weekend meant Stuart Lancaster's side crashed out at the group stage.

England led Wales 22-12 but Warren Gatland's men staged a late smash-and-grab to stage a 28-25 heist at Twickenham.

Former international star Robinson expects England, now under the stewardship of head coach Eddie Jones, to have revenge on their mind on Saturday - not to mention a Triple Crown with a possible Grand Slam to follow.

Robinson, a Six Nations winner with England in 2001 and 2003, said: "I don't think there's going to be much in it at all.

"I tipped Wales to be the winners of the Six Nations before it started but England have started off pretty well and made some good strides forwards.

"I would give England the edge this weekend because of the disappointment of the World Cup.

"As a player when you lose there is something about playing that team the next time round where you are so hungry and determined to win that you put in a performance that reflects that.

"England have been building in confidence so I'm hoping that's the case and we end up leaving Twickenham feeling a lot better about ourselves than we did at the World Cup.

"There has been some good stuff from the likes of (Billy) Vunipola and it has been good to see the backs get hold of the ball. (Jack) Nowell has been a positive.

"There hasn't been an awful lot of excitement throughout the championship so far - a lot of teams have been focused just on winning and have been inhibited in the way they have played.

"There is a lot of pressure on both sides again and it is going to be tough because if you look at that Wales team it is really strong.

"There is a lots of talk about them putting George Ford under pressure with the likes of (Jamie) Roberts coming down that channel, which we knew was going to happen, but in this game England need to concentrate more on their game than Wales' game."

Many of the same England players who lost to Wales in the World Cup will be involved on Saturday.

Robinson, a World Cup winner in 2003, sees Saturday also as a chance to put September's defeat behind them.

"If it was me, having lost to Wales during the World Cup, this game couldn't have come round quick enough," he said.

"I'm still getting reminded about the last time England played Wales and the players need to get that out of their system.

"I know it was a long time ago and a different competition but they have some scars that need to heal.

"The only way they heal in this game is by beating that team the next time you play them.

Robinson added: "They've gone through a lot of pain since then.

"The World Cup was a massive flop for England and as a player no one feels it more than you.

"As much as you try to get over it a lot of other people don't let you get over it.

"Deep down this is the game they have to get right.

"Get it right and they've won the championship. Then dare we think about a grand slam?'

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