We will crush Australia, warns Back

Neil Back will demand a merciless approach by England to what ought to be a rout against fragile Romania at Twickenham on Saturday.

He said: 'There will be no let-up from start to finish. We're here to win a

Test and I expect us to be ruthless in the way we go about it.' Leading his country for what he expects to be the last time before Martin Johnson returns against South Africa next week, Back may be overstating the case in describing the exercise as a 'massive challenge', surely a reference to his call for technical excellence rather than winning a one-horse race.

The bad news for Romania, who conceded 13 tries to Wales two months ago, is that the acting captain has approached this match in exactly the same way as he did the last, when he generated enough heat in his pack to overwhelm Australia.

Back said: 'I am asking for the same level of application and desire. We need to be direct, physical and confrontational all the way through. 'If we are not right, they will cause us problems. Defence is a weakness of theirs and it's up to England to play the right game to break down what defence they've got because next week we are facing one of the great teams of the world in South Africa. After leaking two tries against Australia, I do not expect us to leak any on Saturday.' Back is resigned to Johnson returning as captain, as long as the Lions skipper comes through Leicester's Premiership tie at Sale on Saturday, a far stiffer test than that at Twickenham. Back said: 'If fit, Johnno will be back as captain although that's for the management to decide. All I can do is the best I can by making sure my preparations are as meticulous as usual.' Bath lock Steve Borthwick passed a fitness test but a troublesome knee prevented Austin Healey from training and coach Andy Robinson rushed home to the West Country following the death of his father Ray, after a long battle against multiple sclerosis.

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