Corry ready for physical challenge

Defeat against the Springboks at Stade de France would leave the 2003 world champions needing victory over Samoa in Nantes next week to keep alive their title hopes.

Corry said: "We've worked very hard and said a lot of things, but we all know how easy talking is. It's a question now of generating the emotion and belief, going into Friday night."

No Rugby World Cup holder has previously gone out in the pool stage, yet England, whose preparations to face South Africa have been hit by injuries and suspension, could create an unwanted piece of history.

South Africa, meanwhile, have lost star flanker Schalk Burger to a four-game suspension, but their performance in swamping Samoa 59-7 suggests England are distant second favourites for the 80,000 sell-out clash.

Corry, who will skipper England against the Springboks, said: "We have been harsh on ourselves this week - we've had to be.

"In a way, if that United States game had to happen for us to realise where we were going wrong, then hopefully it has happened and we can use it as a positive.

"We've all seen how well South Africa are playing, and we know what type of performance we are going to need to make sure we match them," he added.

"We haven't played complete dross. In parts, we've played well, what we've been lacking is the consistency of our performance.

"We know it's there, we've just got to make sure we produce it, not for 20 minutes, but a top quality performance for 80 minutes."