Corry says England will draw strength from adversity

MARTIN CORRY claims England will “draw strength from adversity” when they go into battle as huge World Cup underdogs against South Africa tonight.

England’s preparations for their biggest Test match since the 2003 World Cup final have been decimated by injuries and suspension.

Fly-halves Jonny Wilkinson (ankle ligament sprain) and Olly Barkley (hip) are both sidelined, while skipper Phil Vickery starts a two-match ban following his citing for tripping US centre Paul Emerick in last Saturday’s Pool A opener.

Leicester forward Corry takes over the leadership reins at Stade de France, while England head coach Brian Ashton says Mike Catt will start in the number 10 shirt, with ex-Great Britain rugby league captain Andy Farrell alongside him as first choice goalkicker.

Against such a backdrop, South Africa — even though Schalk Burger is unavailable — start as red-hot favourites. But Corry believes England can defy the odds. He said: “You want to draw strength from adversity, and we have had our share of adversity this week. It has drawn the squad closer together.”

For Ashton, the game represents his biggest challenge since taking over from Andy Robinson last December.

“We are ready,” he said.

ENGLAND: J Robinson (unattached); J Lewsey (Wasps), J Noon (Newcastle), M Catt (London Irish), P Sackey (Wasps); A Farrell (Saracens), S Perry (Bristol); A Sheridan (Sale Sharks), M Regan (Bristol), M Stevens (Bath), S Shaw (Wasps), B Kay (Leicester), M Corry (Leicester, capt), T Rees (Wasps), N Easter (Harlequins).

Replacements: G Chuter (Leicester), P Freshwater (Perpignan), S Borthwick (Bath), L Moody (Leicester), A Gomarsall (Harlequins), P Richards (London Irish), M Tait (Newcastle).

SOUTH AFRICA: P Montgomery (Natal Sharks); J P Pietersen (Natal Sharks), J Fourie (Golden Lions), F Steyn (Natal Sharks), B Habana (Blue Bulls); B James (Natal Sharks), F du Preez (Blue Bulls); O du Randt (Free State), J Smit (Natal Sharks, capt), B J Botha (Natal Sharks), B Botha (Blue Bulls), V Matfield (Blue Bulls), W van Heerden (Blue Bulls), J Smith (Free State), D Rossouw (Blue Bulls).

Replacements: B du Plessis (Natal Sharks), C J van der Linde (Free State), J Muller (Natal Sharks), B Skinstad (Natal Sharks), R Pienaar (Natal Sharks), A Pretorius (Golden Lions), W Olivier (Blue Bulls).

Referee: Joel Jutge (France).