World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson believes Brian Ashton must instil a sense of intimidation if they are to have any chance of retaining the World Cup.

England's success in 2003 was partly created by teams fearing the awesome pack Sir Clive Woodword created.

Ashton has just three matches in which to turn the ailing world champions' fortunes around.

And Johnson, whose talismanic captaincy played such a big part in England lifting the Webb Ellis trophy for the first time in Sydney four years ago, said: "People talk about the intimidating factor and that's the game. It's physical. You have to win the collisions.

"You have to win that battle. Look at New Zealand. They win a huge amount of the breakdown situations. Those areas have become massively competitive.

"We have gone away a bit from being very competitive at the breakdown. We need to get back to what we do well. Make it difficult for teams to win the ball... The best way to defend is to make it very difficult for them to recycle the ball."

The Investec Challenge begins with England entertaining Wales at Twickenham on August 4 before home and away clashes with World Cup hosts France.