Ashton: Stand up and be counted

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Only Argentina have beaten France at Stade Velodrome, a graveyard for previous visitors like England, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.

Ashton said: "I think we've got a lot stronger group of characters in the squad now than certainly at any time since I've been in charge, and this is a challenge they are up to."

If England can secure victory, it would send out a huge statement of intent just three weeks before their World Cup opener against the USA in Lens.

An England victory would also start improving their dismal away form - three wins from 17 starts - since Martin Johnson held aloft the Webb Ellis Trophy in November 2003.

"When the pressure comes on, the players show composure and make more good decisions than they do wrong decisions, and they are more used to handling the big-game pressure than players that maybe we've had previously," added Ashton.

"The number one objective is to win. Players playing for England want to win, full stop.

"We want a hostile environment because we are going to face hostile environments all over the place during the World Cup, so we look at this game as an opportunity to play in one.

"I think with the mindset of the players we've got now, I don't think there is a lot of difference between playing home or away.

"We've got to get that mindset inside our heads that when we cross the white line we are playing rugby on a pitch with the same dimensions as they are everywhere else in the world."