KEY POINTS:
The obituaries were written over a fortnight ago.
When Jason Robinson limped out of England's clutch pool A clash with South Africa in Paris, the one shining light on a wretched night for the world champions seemed to have come to a miserable end, courtesy of a twanged
hamstring.
But modern medicine being what it is, Billy Whizz is back for a final hurrah, or two, or three, depending on how well England can pull themselves together in the opening quarter-final at Marseille's Stade Velodrome against Australia early Sunday morning.
The 32-year-old will play his 49th test and England can ill afford to be without the jinky little man who made his name as one of Britain's brightest league talents before taking his talents to jeu a quinze.
However, if the English journalists who crowded him like kids round the lolly jar were hoping for a favourite memory or two, they were mistaken.
Robinson scored a dazzling try for the Lions against Australia six years ago, and another in the World Cup final four years ago in Sydney. But this is not the time to dwell in the past, as Robinson demonstrated more than once yesterday. That's for later.
Indulge those seeking a spot of nostalgia? Forget it.
And don't start comparing the cup-winning 2003 England squad with the current hapless lot who, barring a dramatic jump in form, will pack their bags on Sunday.
"It's certainly not the same side that played in 2003. We've not had that stability," he said.
"There's no point comparing with 2003 any more. It's a different team. It was a long time ago. Things move on and hopefully we'll move on this week."
The man who turned a raucous off-field life round thanks, in part, to help from former All Black and Wigan league teammate Va'aiga Tuigamala, will be critical to England's hopes.
He is the one back with the wit, initiative and dancing feet to create an opening out of nothing. No Robinson and you'd think next to no chance for England.
"We know once again we have to raise the bar. But it's a great challenge. We've really got to get our game right in order to beat Australia. It's as simple as that. We won't get the same chances we had with the likes of Samoa and Tonga," he added.
Do England have the requisite self belief to succeed against their old rivals, who have been dishing out the verbals in childish manner this week?
Robinson played it clever.
"It's not for me to say if individuals believe in themselves or not. But we've definitely improved as a team as the games have gone on - apart from South Africa.
"There is hunger there, and we know if we don't raise the bar this week we're going to get beaten."
The curious thing for Robinson is that he knows each game could be his last. It must be a curious emotion. One more loss and that's it, the end of a fine career in which he lit rugby stages round the globe.
"You never know when your last game is. For me, it could be any game so it's a case of every time giving it my best shot."
And what happens the first time he really stretches out on Sunday morning? He's confident the hamstring will hold.
"I've done everything I needed to do, and I'm fit. That's about it, fit and ready to go."
