Mike Catt, centre

What should England regard as their minimum return from the World Cup?
MC: You want to retain the trophy. That’s the only thing, the reason you go into a competition is to win it. Yes, you have to be realistic and admit it’s going to be a tough assignment but I think everybody will be dissatisfied with anything less. It’s not about development now, it’s about winning.

But can you really do it?
MC: Perhaps, because we’ve got a pretty good, experienced side that is capable of beating any team in the world. We just need to get it right tactically and mentally and we need the big-game players to turn up and produce in the important matches. There’s certainly a greater better belief in the side than people realise. Yes, there were a lot of weaknesses in Marseilles [when England lost to France last month] but we had a chat about it, got back on the training pitch and corrected them. We’re playing the way we want to play now, with a little bit more variation. It is going in the right direction.

What is your biggest fear going into the tournament?
MC: I don’t fear anything any more. When you’re younger you always worry about what the press or other coaches were going to say. But that just somebody’s opinion and you can’t control it. As you get older you learn not to worry. You learn to live for the present. That is what I did in the last World Cup. I enjoyed the training, playing, and I enjoyed the atmosphere. If I can recreate that in France, I’ll be happy.

What is the best aspect of playing in a World Cup?
MC: The buzz it has around the country. In Australia [in 2003], in Brisbane and Sydney, it was brilliant. And South Africa in 1995 was absolutely amazing. I have a few friends in France and they say it is crazy there now too, particularly in Paris and the cities staging the matches.

And the worst?
MC: Difficult to say. France is close enough for my family to visit and any pressure you feel is self-inflicted. You cannot concern yourself with what other people want. As long as we determine our goals, and get ourselves in the best position to achieve that, we should be OK.

How will you escape the public glare in France?
MC: Well, France has some nice golf courses so I’ll hopefully get to play on them. I’ll try see all the sites too, plus do a bit of shopping, go for coffee. Whatever it takes the fill the time while you recover.

Jason Robinson, winger

What should England regard as a minimum return from the World Cup?
JR: That we play to our potential. We have failed to do that so far in the build up. We have been one-dimensional, which is not the way I like to play. And nor is it the way Brian Ashton likes to play. I returned to the England side because I respect Brian’s philosophy and it is time that we realised it.

Can England retain the trophy?
JR: Potentially. We have got some world class players and a squad that is hungry for success. Of course, there’s no point in being hungry if you don’t go out and deliver.

What is your biggest fear going into the tournament?
JR: I have never had any fears playing this game. A huge responsibility comes with representing your country. You have to do a job once you pull on that shirt, but ultimately it is just 15 against 15, one man against another. It is only a sport and there is no reason to have any fears.

What is the best aspect of playing in a World Cup?
JR: Playing against the best players in the world. It is as simple as that. You are under extreme pressure and there is no better examination of your ability as rugby player. You can talk about tactics or whatever but, in the World Cup, it is about only about performance. Your need to take every opportunity.