Neil Back has warned England they must improve their leadership and mentality before the clash with France in Paris next month or risk suffering a debilitating three successive Six Nations defeats.
The 2003 World Cup-winner is adamant head coach Eddie Jones can solve the problems highlighted by the 25-13 loss to Scotland at Murrayfield if the players accept more responsibility on the pitch in their pursuit of an historic third straight title.
Back said: "You learn more about the coaches and the team in this kind of situation and it is better for it to happen now than in the Six Nations next year.
"As we approached the 2003 Six Nations leading into our World Cup we said 'if we cannot win this, five games on the bounce with breaks, how are we going to win seven games in a row at the World Cup?' Now, England have to take on a difficult game with France and need to show the leadership and mentality to prove they can win the ultimate prize next year in Japan.
"If we don't then it can easily be three defeats on the bounce with Ireland in the final game at Twickenham. A year out from the World Cup, to lose three in a row -- who would have guessed that! It means the pressure is on and it's exactly what we need. The French will be a different team now that Scotland have beaten England and they will focus on the same areas.
"Despite winning at Murrayfield, I don't believe Scotland will win this championship or next year's or the World Cup but England have a realistic chance of doing all three."
England were out-thought and out-fought by Scotland at the breakdown at Murrayfield and former Lions flanker Back does not blame the back row, insisting the whole team has to be ready to compete for the ball.
Jones' side face France in Paris on March 10.
"England have time to put things right although time is running out to find their best combinations," Back added.
"When you look at the breakdown, it is about the whole team not just the back row who have to compete and also deal with the counter-ruck that Scotland used against England. I have seen improvement in this England team which has only lost two games under Eddie Jones but the contact area is about every player making the right decision and in the win over Wales, Owen Farrell contributed massively to winning ball at the breakdown.
"However, from one to 15 our decision making has to be a lot quicker and sharper than it is. The England players have to accept responsibility on game day because no matter how you have prepared in the week you still need the ability to change on the hoof."