Stuart Lancaster is refusing to “dream” of seeing his England team crowned Six Nations champions for the first time on Saturday night.

– #Quiz360: WIN group paintball session at Zayed Sports City
– #360rugby: VOTE now in the UAE Rugby Annual Awards 2015
– Abu Dhabi Harlequins set for UK tour and chance to meet idols

The Red Rose have been installed as favourites to replace Ireland as champions on a climatic final round that will conclude with France visiting Twickenham, yet they could finish as low as fourth in the table. Ireland and Wales are also in the hunt with the staggered kick-offs – starting in Rome at 16:30 and concluding when England take the field at 21:00 (UAE time).

For a third successive year the title is set to be decided by points difference with England’s cushion over the Irish of plus four placing them in pole position, although they arguably have the toughest fixture.

Lancaster is desperate to lift the first piece of major silverware of his reign but having finished runnersup for the last three years, the head coach is acutely aware of how best laid plans can be foiled.

“To win at Twickenham would mean a huge amount – for the players and the fans,” he said. “I know how much hard work people have put in and also how much it hurt to come second for three years in a row. But you can’t start thinking about things like that until you get the detail of the game right.

“We’ve got a huge challenge coming our way from France. They’re a high quality team. As they showed last year when they played Ireland, they played right through for the full 80 in that last game even though they couldn’t win the Championship. It could still be the case they have something to play for, so we won’t start dreaming yet.”

The schedule has presented England with the significant advantage of knowing exactly what their target will be against France when the last game of the Six Nations starts.

Lancaster will inform his players of the results of Wales’ clash with Italy and Ireland’s match against Scotland, but insists their over-riding ambition must be to secure victory rather than chase a score.

“Clearly we’ll know the outcome before we start,” he said. “But the critical thing is to ensure the players are all completely focused on their own preparations.”