Jason Robinson talks ‘the most competitive World Cup ever’ and key England stars

England shoulder a heavy burden approaching the 2023 Rugby World Cup, but Jason Robinson is no stranger to a pressure-cooker environment.

On the 20th anniversary of the Red Rose's only triumph in the tournament, expectations are somewhat low for Steve Borthwick's side. Eddie Jones' unceremonious exit as head coach followed by an underwhelming Six Nations under his successor paints a poor picture of England's prospects as things stand.

But rugby icon Robinson is nonetheless brimming with excitement ahead of what he feels will be "the most competitive World Cup" on record. The international elite will travel to France in Sep, with "probably six teams that could beat each other on their day."

A member of Sale Sharks royalty and the scorer of England's sole try in that 2003 final win over Australia, Robinson has been there and done it when it comes to the Webb Ellis Cup. And despite any sense of doom and gloom around the current camp, he's taking a realist's approach in the hopes they improve – and soon.

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"It's been a real mixed one, if you've been an England fan for the last couple of years," the Asahi Super Dry ambassador told Daily Star Sport. "I think England would love to be in a better place than they are at the moment. That said, the great thing about sport is you can turn things around [quickly].

"Obviously they've made changes with Eddie leaving and Steve coming in. We're all aware things don't happen overnight. What they've got to try and do is accelerate some of those improvements in the lead-up to the World Cup.

"Steve and the coaches are gonna have the players for a good period of time now in the build-up, [and] I'm massively excited about this. Partly because I've had the privilege of playing in three World Cups [in union and league] and reaching the final on each of those occasions (thankfully winning one of them). But I think this is going to be the most competitive World Cup there's ever been."

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It's easy to understand the logic given the current international landscape, with Ireland coming off the back of a Six Nations Grand slam and ranked No. 1 in the world. Hosts France are bound to offer stiff competition while South Africa enter as titleholders, and only New Zealand can match their tally of three crowns to date.

"Obviously I want England to do well, but there are a lot of teams that have raised the bar," added Robinson. "If you look at Ireland and what they've done of late. One of the biggest things for me is that win over in New Zealand [in 2022]. To win a Test series there – I can't tell you how hard that is. To win a game is hard enough, let alone back-to-back Tests. Obviously they've won a Grand Slam, so they're in a really good place at the moment.

"France being the host nation and the way they play with guys like [Antoine] Dupont, they're looking really, really strong with a nation that's gonna be pumped behind them. It will be really interesting to see how they go.

"It's funny, though. A lot of people are talking about France and Ireland, but not a lot of people are talking about New Zealand [laughs]. Which is really strange. New Zealand and their history of winning World Cups. . .there are a few teams out there playing well, but they've never played that well in World Cups."

Ireland fit that particular bill given the Boys in Green have never advanced beyond the quarter-finals in their pursuit of a maiden Webb Ellis Cup. Les Bleus have also never managed to win one despite reaching the final on three occasions, most recently losing to the All Blacks in the 2011 decider.

It wouldn't be unjust to suggest England's profile and global perception is the lowest it's been in the professional era. Sat sixth in the world rankings and notching just two wins in each of the last three Six Nations tournaments, the country has faced a sequence of blows to its usually unshakeable ego.

And yet Robinson doesn't feel it's in England's DNA to approach a World Cup eyeing anything other than first place. A Pool D line-up of Argentina, Japan, Samoa and Chile looks like the easiest of the lot on paper, and that stroke of fortune could yet pave the way to a surprise run in France.

"You've got to, as a player. World Cups are there for winning, not just taking part," said the ex-winger. "Some would say the pressure has been lifted due to recent performances, but the reality is, the spotlight will always be on England, no matter how they're playing."

It's hardly the first time England have entered a World Cup with ill sentiment around the team, after all. The Red Rose was afflicted by politics and poor preparation, with Brian Ashton at the time facing an eerily similar predicament to Borthwick after he was appointed chief the previous December.

It's essential that the stars of today 'play to our strengths', insists Robinson, even if it doesn't feel as though England have been entirely sure what those are in recent times. Perhaps even more important than that, however, is the squad's response in terms of their character following a period of such significant scrutiny.

"I always go back [to 2007] and think 'we were rotten,'" he added. "We got hammered by South Africa in the pool stage 36-0 – we were awful! No form, quite fractious in camp and a lot of finger-pointing. And somehow we managed to come out of the pool and into the quarter-finals.

"And on one day, the World Cup was turned on its head because we beat Australia, and France beat New Zealand. And then all of a sudden it's like, 'Right, okay!' You just never know what's gonna happen in World Cups."

Borthwick & Co. will be banking on as much as they hope to go one better than their silver medal in Tokyo four years ago.

Robinson namedrops incumbent captain Owen Farrell, Ellis Genge and Maro Itoje as some of those who will shoulder 'really important' leadership roles in France. Saracens star Farrell looks to have recaptured some of his best form after winning his sixth Premiership crown in May, dispelling some of the debate over England's No. 10 shirt.

As for which bolter Robinson believes could make an impact at the World Cup, there's one uncapped star in particular knocking on Borthwick's door.

"I do like Cadan Murley," said the Sale legend. "If you look at what he's done throughout this season. Listen, my game was all about causing problems for the opposition (and finishing chances). There are certain players you can pick, and you know they're quick and can score tries – but it's also about creating them.

"I knew playing against teams, they would change the way they played because of the way I played. And I think watching Cadan and some of the tries he's scored, you need that [ability to cause chaos] as well."

Robinson also picked out Henry Arundell – breakout star at London Irish last term – as another asset who's almost too dangerous to omit, even though he feels Freddie Steward deserves his start at full-back.

Harlequins winger Murley finished as this season's top Premiership try-scorer after crossing the whitewash 15 times in 18 starts and will be hoping to make the cut again after receiving his first senior call-up during this year's Six Nations.

The 23-year-old is close to realising his World Cup dream after being summoned for Borthwick's latest World Cup training squad, but he faces stiff competition from a sea of speedsters. Robinson has some experience of sticking out in that department, and Murley has his backing to break out this summer.

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