Corry warns Wales: ‘You’ve got something we want’
England have not won the championship since 2003 and had the stuffing knocked out of them in the opening match last year, when Wales snatched an 11-9 victory in Cardiff and stormed on to win the Grand Slam.
Saturday’s showdown at Twickenham promises to be just as pivotal and Corry has outlined to his men the importance of making a ferocious start.
“Winning the championship is what we are setting out to do and we are playing Wales first up, which is great because they have got something we want,” said Corry. “The first game of any championship is massive, not only to win the competition but also for your own confidence. If you get off to a good start then things take shape. If you don’t, then you are battling everything. We haven’t played together for a while and it is important we don’t give ourselves an excuse and we really look to hit our straps in the first game.”
England stuttered badly after losing to Wales a year ago and went on to lose three on the trot before finishing the championship in fourth place, their worst placing yet in the Six Nations.
However, Corry and head coach Andy Robinson oversaw a turnaround in fortunes in the autumn. England overpowered Australia and then came agonisingly close to picking off New Zealand, before eventually going down 23-19. England were criticised for a lack of invention - a quality Wales enjoy in abundance - but for Corry those performances show the bar has been raised from last year’s Six Nations. “We have been working hard on our game and it would be great if we could do a few things that surprise them.”
Corry expects Wales to remain true to the attacking philosophy which brought them such success last year, despite their injury problems. Without seven front-line players for Saturday’s game, Wales have not won at Twickenham since 1988. However, they ended a tough autumn campaign with victory over Australia and there has been a palpable air of confidence in the red dragon camp this week.
“They have got a lot of players out, which will affect any side, but Wales are developing a structure and squad that gives them strength in depth,” said Corry. “We certainly expect a couple of surprises from Wales because that is the way they play. They are developing a very dangerous side. When we played them this time last year we knew what to expect and just didn’t quite match the challenge. But I feel we have come along a huge amount since then.”
We are playing for England at Twickenham and we are playing Wales. In terms of pressurised environments, it doesn’t come much more than this.”
Corry insists he has fully recovered from the bruised ribs which forced him to sit out Leicester’s 27-27 Guinness Premiership draw with Sale last weekend. However, question marks still hang over his fitness and the presence of Lawrence Dallaglio on the bench - a like-for-like replacement for Corry in the back row - could be an indicator that all is not quite right.
Competition for places in the England back row is fierce. Chris Jones, James Forrester and Magnus Lund all missed out, while Dallaglio’s return adds a whole new dimension to the squad. Dallaglio, who starts on the bench, brings 73 caps worth of Test experience, plus two previous stints as England captain.
Corry welcomes the extra competition and the extra leadership that Dallaglio provides.
“Lawrence will be sat there chomping at the bit,” said Corry. “I know what it is like sitting on the bench for England.
“You are desperate to play. Lawrence will be exactly the same.”