Back - believes England can win the World Cup.

By Simon Stone, PA Sport

Stand-in skipper Neil Back has launched a stinging attack on England's critics and insisted they are capable of lifting the World Cup next year.

Back, who stands in as captain for suspended Leicester team-mate Martin Johnson in this Saturday's Lloyds TSB Six Nations clash with Wales, has been an integral part of England's last two World Cup campaigns.

And, despite yet another Grand Slam-busting defeat three weeks ago, the 33-year-old is convinced England have more chance of lifting the Webb Ellis Trophy in Sydney than they have ever done.

"The way we play the game, the ability, strength and depth in the squad are all excellent," said Back.

"Saturday's game is the most important because it is the next one. But the World Cup is getting closer, it is in the back of everyone's mind and this squad has more chance of winning it than any I have previously been involved with."

Manager Clive Woodward has made six changes, including two positional moves as he tries to rediscover the winning formula following the morale-sapping 20-15 defeat to France.

It is the fourth successive year England have seen their Grand Slam aspirations unexpectedly flounder, and has left the likes of former skipper Will Carling to question the side's ability to compete under pressure.

Back, however, rejected that theory, and also dismissed suggestions that victory this weekend would be meaningless after yet another key defeat.

"What do you want us to do, lose?," he snapped.

"When you win, you might get a bit of credit, but no-one goes through the game and says 'You kept your discipline or played well under pressure', but you get criticised for those things when you lose the odd game.

"France are potential World Cup winners too. We have analysed where we went wrong and not everything was bad. We created a lot of chances but our execution was not good."

Back said a poor kicking game and loss of ball in contact had been key factors in England's defeat, as had the visitors' inability to defend the ruck area against Fabien Galthie's inspired running game.

But he warned Wales to forget any ideas they might have of exploiting that weakness and prepare themselves for a physical afternoon.

"When you lose the ball in contact you are at your most vulnerable," he said.

"We are generally strong around the ruck area but Galthie sniped through on a couple of occasions. But if Wales think they will get the same space, they are wrong. That door will be slammed shut.

"I'm not bothered what the margin is, I just want to win - a point will be enough for me. Sometimes it's great to play with a bit of flash, but a bit more bash is the recipe for victory."

Sale stand-off Charlie Hodgson missed training today after a recurrence of a recent ankle problem.

Iain Balshaw stayed behind with the senior squad, although Woodward is confident the Bath man will not be required and Hodgson will take his spot on the replacements' bench.

Despite being hot favourites to claim their 11th win in the last 13 meetings between the two countries, much may depend on the performances of another Leicester duo.

Lewis Moody has been drafted in for his first Six Nations start in the back-row, reward for an outstanding campaign which fully justified his summer decision to stay at Welford Road, with the maverick figure of Austin Healey taking over from Jason Robinson at full-back.

It is Healey's England debut in that particular role but Back has full confidence in his controversial Tigers' team-mate.

"Austin was outstanding at full-back against Northampton not so long ago," he said.

"He didn't feel he got his hands on the ball often enough and didn't particularly enjoy it. But he has the talent to play anywhere in the back division and he will see it as a challenge.

"I had a chat with Lewis in the summer and virtually willed him to stay. I know he was worried about Josh Kronfeld coming in, but it has allowed us all to get a rest, which has been invaluable during the season.

"In his prime, Josh was the best open-side flanker in the world and that ability has rubbed off on us both.

"Lewis has improved a lot in the past 12 months. He is more disciplined now, his contact skills have improved and he is more thoughtful about what he does on the pitch."