And Twickenham’s aura of invincibility is also under considerable threat.

If England come unstuck this weekend – they have never been beaten by Italy and the Azzurri have yet to record a Six Nations away win – then it would represent a 32-year Twickenham low.

Not since 1973 – a time when the likes of Andy Ripley and Tony Neary were finding their feet as international players – have England lost at least three games in a row on the hallowed Twickenham turf.

But an unlikely Italian triumph would see them emulate France last month, and Australia in the final autumn Test, in piling misery on Robinson, whose success rate since he replaced World Cup mastermind Sir Clive Woodward earlier this season currently stands at a mere 33%.

“We really want to go out and play well,” said Robinson, whose team will be captained for the first time tomorrow by Leicester number eight Martin Corry, following Jason Robinson’s thumb operation.

“We have words on the board about fortress Twickenham, and this time we want to recreate fortress Twickenham. It’s all about making sure we hit the ground running at four o’clock tomorrow.

“Winning is vital for us, and it is about having that edge. To break down a side like Italy, whose defence has improved, we are going to have to perform well.

“One of the things you should never do is lose your home games. We are obviously disappointed that we have lost these games, particularly in the way we have lost them.

“In the last two, we were ahead, and it was time to close the games down, but we didn’t do that.”

Robinson’s final pre-match press conference today was a sometimes tense and edgy affair, totally in keeping with a Six Nations campaign that has misfired on the back of injuries to numerous key players.

And while England should not lose to either Italy, or Calcutta Cup opponents Scotland tomorrow week, things can no longer be taken for granted.

“It is about taking your opportunities. If you look at the Ireland game (in Dublin), it was disappointing that we scored and then immediately put ourselves under pressure by turning the ball over and allowing them to score,” Robinson added.

A Twickenham full house will not allow England leeway tomorrow.

However much Robinson and his trusty lieutenant, defence specialist Phil Larder, tried to talk up the Italians today, defeat-weary English fans will simply not stomach another Six Nations setback.

“We think Italy have performed really well in the last three matches, and they have been unfortunate,” claimed Robinson.

“Their pack is a real tough pack of forwards. They are formidable, well-drilled, tremendous at set-pieces and have some really good ball carriers.

“But the main focus is to concentrate on ourselves and make sure we’ve got our defence right and our attacking structure.

“This is about ourselves. We are not here blaming other people and making excuses, we are focusing on ourselves.

“The England team and coaches have done a really good job, and the attitudes of the players will push England through the disappointments we’ve had over the last three matches, and we will do that tomorrow.”

Larder added: “Italy do score tries, and they have the potential to be quite dangerous. They have a pack that does well and can put the opposition on the back foot.

“The problem they’ve had has been with their backs, but the centres are very direct, they attack well and they will take some handling.

“Their defence through the Six Nations has improved dramatically. I think they are one of the most improved defensive sides in the world. In the last game (against Scotland), they never looked like conceding a try.

“And they have now brought in a specialist goalkicker. Against Ireland, they only lost because they missed their kicks.”

Robinson is right in that it will be a real battle up-front, but England should ultimately wear down the Azzurri pack and allow their backs – including a recalled Iain Balshaw – an imposing attacking platform to carve out a comfortable victory.

But such is the game’s relative non-event billing, that events in Twickenham on Sunday – when Jonny Wilkinson makes his probable return for Newcastle against Harlequins – will attract most attention.

“It’s brilliant the way Newcastle have handled him and got him right, together with the England medical team,” said Robinson.

“It’s great that he is ready to play on Sunday, and we wish him all the best. With the three injuries (since the World Cup), he’s had it hard. We just hope he can relax and enjoy the game on Sunday.”

For England fans, Wilkinson’s return to the Test match arena cannot come quickly enough.