Andy Robinson has conceded that England have ''dropped off the pace'' since their World Cup triumph two years ago.

And with the countdown continuing to England's world title defence - the opening game of France 2007 is just 22 months away - autumn Test appointments with Australia, New Zealand and Samoa assume considerable significance.

England's fumbling efforts during the past two seasons are reflected by a poor results sequence, with just seven victories from 16 starts.

The clock is ticking on their World Cup aspirations, especially given how New Zealand, South Africa and France have all moved clear of England, both in terms of consistency and performance.

Graham Henry's All Blacks arrive at Twickenham on Saturday week - an occasion when England will be comfortable second favourites - so defeat against the struggling Wallabies this weekend cannot be seriously contemplated.

Australia are arguably in a worse state than England, reeling after six successive defeats, which included a Tri-Nations whitewash, while their skipper George Gregan has come under concerted attack from former players, coaches and the media Down Under.

But the Wallabies' post-World Cup record against England is a good one, having crushed them 51-15 in Brisbane during an ill-conceived 2004 southern hemisphere tour and then triumphed 21-19 at Twickenham last November.

''Since the last World Cup we have not stayed still and not moved forward, we have dropped off the pace,'' said head coach Robinson.

''There are steps we need to take and the autumn internationals are the first steps on the ladder of how we are going to develop and move forward.

''There are never any excuses. I am passionate about being successful and I believe that in any sport, when any England team takes the field, they should have the ability and the weapons to understand how to win, whatever the conditions and whoever they are playing against.

''I don't think any player needs to be motivated for this game, or any game.

''We have a self-motivating group and the players understand the responsibility on their shoulders when they put the white shirt on.

''I have selected the wrong team if they need motivating.''

Robinson gave his players yesterday and today off, a midweek luxury afforded them because of the detailed work put in during a longer than normal preparation period that began when the squad assembled at Loughborough University on October 31.

''By having a two-week training camp it meant we could do things differently,'' added Robinson. We were looking not just at preparation in terms of developing skills and organisation, but also looking at physical and mental preparation.

''Having Wednesday and Thursday off is different, but it also shows we feel we are ready and it enables the players to have that physical break.''

Despite Australia's recent woes, history suggests that Saturday's encounter will be a close, fiercely-fought battle.

The last five Twickenham meetings between England and Australia have produced an average winning margin of less than three points a time, and you sense Robinson is anticipating something similar this time around.

''Any Australian side is very dangerous,'' he said.

''At the moment, I have a picture of how we want to play on Saturday, but the picture might change depending on how the scoreboard gets moving, how we start the game, what the weather is like and whether we can score the points we want early.

''I don't see Australia as being low on confidence. They have belief in each other and in all the games I've watched it's just been careless errors that have cost them. This is a side that beat England at Twickenham the last time they came, and we are very wary of that.