Corry happy to lead Leicester despite availability dispute

ENGLAND captain Martin Corry has underlined his desire to lead Leicester against Northampton today - despite the player availability row between Guinness Premiership clubs and Twickenham chiefs.

Under the Rugby Football Union’s version of an 11-week rest period for elite English players - which they say includes this summer’s Lions tour of New Zealand - Corry should not play a full game (classed as more than 40 minutes) until September 17.

Leicester, though, do not accept that English rugby’s elite player scheme covers the Lions, and Corry is set to play a full part in Leicester’s Premiership opener at Welford Road.

Corry is the only English Lion scheduled to start a game this weekend, with Northampton not selecting hooker Steve Thompson and Wasps naming Matt Dawson as a replacement against Saracens at Twickenham.

But Sale Sharks were tackling Newcastle last night with four starting Lions - Mark Cueto, Jason Robinson, Charlie Hodgson and Andrew Sheridan.

It is unclear what, if any, sanctions the RFU can take against ‘offending’ clubs, and Twickenham top brass are making no further comment until Monday, at the earliest.

“Paddy (Leicester head coach Pat Howard) asked me if I wanted to play in this match,” said Corry.

“Well, playing Northampton at home and leading the team out ... it doesn’t really come much bigger than this; there is no question in my mind.

“I have just distanced myself from everything. Pat said he would pick me if I wanted to play, and I said ‘well, I want to play’, and that is where it ends as far as I am concerned.”

Corry accepts that player burn-out is an issue though, adding: “It is something I feel strongly about.

“But you need to put your trust in your director of rugby, and in Pat Howard, you’ve got a guy who is incredibly aware of players’ feelings and their conditions.”

Carlos Spencer will contest the centre-of-attention crown with Corry, as Northampton go into battle with their star summer signing and former All Blacks fly-half calling the shots behind a pack that includes academy prospects Dylan Hartley and Alex Rae.

And Northampton rugby director Budge Pountney has no qualms about fielding the two 19-year-olds, despite an intimidating Welford Road atmosphere guaranteed by a 16,800 capacity crowd.

“My league debut was at Leicester, and it is a case of just get on and play, don’t panic and enjoy the experience,” said Pountney.

While Leicester begin life without retired England World Cup heroes Martin Johnson and Neil Back, Ian McGeechan takes the coaching reins from Warren Gatland as Wasps set out on the road towards a possible fourth successive Premiership title.

“Twickenham is a great stage on which to kick off our league campaign,” said McGeechan, with some 40,000 fans expected for the London double-header that will see Wasps against Saracens followed by Leeds, stand-ins for relegated Harlequins, facing London Irish.

Leeds parade new signings Justin Marshall and Gordon Bulloch, among others, against Irish, with Tykes rugby director Phil Davies admitting: “I can’t wait for the season to start.

“I have been very pleased with our new players who have arrived in the close-season, and extremely happy with the existing players who have shown a desire to improve their standards from last season.”

Tomorrow’s Premiership action features two derby tussles, with Bristol hosting Bath and Worcester entertaining Gloucester.