Robinson: We'll need a bit of nastiness to mix it with Springboks

With South Africa lurking in wait in the same World Cup pool in France this autumn, Robinson knows an under-strength England risk being psychologically scarred.

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No Mercy: Jason Robinson says it will be tough against South Africa

"It's being reported that South Africa will be looking to get a cricket score against us," said the man reinstated as England's captain last week. "I'm sure that will be their mindset — that and to really give it to us physically."

The thought provoked a perhaps unchristian-like response from Robinson, whose faith has never overshadowed his naturally competitive instinct on a rugby pitch.

"One way to beat South Africa is to get stuck into them," he said. "We have some good young talent in the squad, players who have an opportunity to stake a claim to go to the World Cup and experienced forwards like Kevin Yates, Darren Crompton, Stuart Turner, and "Ronnie" Regan.

"These are guys with a bit of 'mongrel' in them — that nastiness which is certainly needed come kick-off time against South Africa. The South Africans love the contact aspect of the game. They have some big boys, some exciting players,so we cannot afford to be conservative. We've got to mix it with them. We have to put them under pressure."

Robinson appreciates that England's preparation for defending the World Cup has not been ideal. Club commitments, injuries to key men and the bruising disappointment of last autumn's international series have left head coach Brian Ashton with little time to instil the winning mentality that Clive Woodward had built into his squad before the tournament in Australia four years ago.

"Every team will fancy their chances against England at the World Cup," warned Robinson. "Why wouldn't they? Until this most recent Six Nations Championships, the past couple of years have been a difficult time for English rugby.

"Ideally, by now we would be playing our strongest squad game after game, as happened with England in the build-up to the last World Cup. For a time then, we were unbeatable. But times change and this tour is a chance for some players to make themselves candidates to go to this World Cup.

"It's no good just knocking on the door — you have to knock it down with your size 12s. Hopefully, by the end of what is going to be a challenging tour there will be a few more players giving Brian Ashton more of a headache come World Cup selection time.

"If we can do well out there with the guys we are taking, and knowing the guys who have been left behind through injury or being involved in European finals with their clubs, it will not have been a wasted trip."

After the tour and a three-week break, Ashton's extended World Cup squad will train from Monday to Thursday each week through July and August,as well as playing three warmup Tests.

A period crucial to England's chances of defending their crown will coincide with the happy event that means Robinson will see out his international career without the support team of his family there with him.

His wife, Amanda, is due to give birth to their fifth child at the end of July and Robinson said: "It's unreasonable to expect her to be able to come with the children to the World Cup in September so soon after having a baby."

While fellow World Cup winner Ben Cohen withdrew last week from both the South Africa tour and consideration for the World Cup because his wife, Abby, is expecting twins, Robinson is dedicated to concluding his illustrious career on the international stage he prematurely departed in the autumn of 2005.

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Jason Robinson in action against France

His reason for quitting then was to devote more time to his wife and young children. But once Ashton took office, Robinson was open to the coach's overtures to come out of international retirement for the recent Six Nations championship,with a view to placing himself in contention to go to the World Cup.

"Although I wanted to spend more time with my family, deep down I knew I didn't want my career to finish with Sale," said Robinson.

"It was flattering to be wanted by Brian. I am on the same wavelength as him. I admit I was as nervous as a new kid at school when I rejoined England, but I noticed straight away that it was a much more relaxed atmosphere than I could recall from the past."

Since his final game Sale, illuminated by a last-minute, matchwinning try, Robinson has treated 60 members of the playing staff to dinner and in time he will discuss an offer to become an ambassador for the club.

But the business at hand is to make the final countdown of his playing career as profitable for England as he can, and it is that ambition that drives him to train ever harder as his 33rd birthday approaches in July.

"My next game could be my last as nobody's place is guaranteed," said Robinson.

"But this has not been about me. This is about England and if someone thought I could contribute one per cent,even half a per cent, I back myself to try to do that.

"It has been a tough year at Sale and, as captain,you do feel an extra burden, so coming back for England has brought an element of excitement I'd forgotten. This year has brought me alive again."