Robshaw: Ready for tough test in Rome

The Eternal City was being lashed with snow and sleet as as England put together their final preparations away from the Stadio Olimpico, where the pitch remained covered.

The temperature is forecast to drop to minus three at game-time - but if Italy bring anything to an RBS 6 Nations match it is fire and brimstone.

The Azzurri have never beaten England in a Test match but they will be roared on by a sold-out crowd in Rome and Robshaw knows what to expect.

The Harlequins flanker is convinced that England's new-look side have the hunger and determination to match Italy in the passion stakes and build on last weekend's 13-6 victory over Scotland.

"We have no illusions about what tomorrow is going to be like," Robshaw said.

"Coming to Italy, to their capital in the heart of their country, is not easy and they are getting better year on year. They will want to go out and prove they are a rugby force.

"Everyone knows about the Italian passion but we have to match that. Everyone who is in this set-up at the moment is so passionate to play for their country.

"We will have to front up. We are under no illusions, we know what passion is coming. It is about going toe to toe with each other.

"Italy are always a very physical and passionate side, they will hold the ball through phases and they will have a go through the forwards.

"Last week's win showed the character of our guys. When you go away from home it is you against a whole nation."

England's proudest moment in the Stadio Olimpico to date came in 1997, when a battling goalless draw secured qualification for the national football team to the FIFA World Cup.

Tony Adams captained England that day and Paul Ince finished the game with a blood-stained shirt as Glenn Hoddle's team toughed out a crucial draw.

A draw now would be a significant setback for Stuart Lancaster's England

and they have ambitions to play a more expansive game than they managed at Murrayfield.

But the conditions may dictate otherwise and Robshaw is willing for his side to invoke that spirit of '97 to battle out a win if needs be.

England succeeded in doing just that at Murrayfield, where they made a record 238 tackles and kept Scotland tryless.

"Whenever you go into a game you need to be prepared to sacrifice and go that extra bit, whether that is carrying the ball more making an extra tackle," Robshaw said.

"I hope tomorrow, if we get the ball, we can keep hold of it better than we did against Scotland. That was one of the reason we defended for so long and something we have been working on."

England go into the game unchanged from Murrayfield, with Charlie Hodgson at fly-half after shaking off a blow to the shoulder and Brad Barritt at outside centre having recovered from a dead leg.

Phil Dowson held off a challenge from Ben Morgan to start again at number eight, in direct opposition to the inspirational Italian captain Sergio Parisse.