Captain Corry eyes England revival

New England captain Martin Corry insists coach Andy Robinson is on the brink of turning the reigning world champions into winners again.

With Jason Robinson out injured, coach Robinson opted for Leicester number eight Corry to skipper England for next Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations match against Italy at Twickenham.

Corry is adamant he will merely continue what he perceives to be the good work that has so far been carried out by the two Robinsons as England continue to rebuild in the wake of what has been a turbulent time for the squad since winning the World Cup.

Although England have started this Six Nations campaign with defeats to Wales, France and Ireland, Corry said: “I think he [Andy Robinson] is doing really well.

“He has had a hard time in terms of injuries, but the mood in the camp is excellent, and it is a camp everyone is honoured and happy to be a part of.

“The only problem is due to the massive shake up and the changes in the side, the little things that turn close losses into victories aren’t quite there yet.

“But I’m positive in a short space of time that will come.

“With everything that has been going on, I think Jason Robinson has done a fantastic job instilling a great team spirit into the squad, and I’ve every confidence in what Andy and the rest of the coaches are doing behind the scenes.

“I’ll just be looking to make sure everything keeps moving in the same direction. At the minute I’ve got this appointment for the next couple of games, so there’s no need for drastic changes.

“It’s just to make sure all the hard work that has been done doesn’t get wasted.”

The problems for England continue to mount though, with Ben Cohen the latest on the injured list after yesterday breaking his cheekbone during the IRB Rugby Aid game at Twickenham.

“It’s unbelievable,” added Corry on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Sportsweek programme.

“These things are all about mental strength and test of character. We can’t sit back and feel sorry for ourselves, we have to get our heads down and get on with it, and that’s what we will do.

“There’s more than enough strength in depth to cover these things.”

Corry, although happy to be captain, realises it has come at a price to England given the injury situation, however he is refusing to look beyond the game with Italy.

“I never thought I’d hear it,” stated Corry when asked for his thoughts on taking up the captaincy.

“It’s unfortunate to get it in such disappointing circumstances, but you have to take these things.

“It’s entered my mind about being captain long term, but more as a dream than anything else.

“When Jonny Wilkinson is fit, they’ve appointed him as captain, and then Jason Robinson and that’s without the whole list of injuries we have with Richard Hill, Mike Tindall and Will Greenwood.

“So there are hundreds of candidates waiting in the wings. It’s just one of those that at the minute I am playing so they have chosen me, which is a great honour.

“I’ve got that for this Saturday and I’m not looking much further than that.”

And Corry would appear to be a great believer in actions speaking louder than words as he added: “I’m not one for great Shakespearean speeches.

“Everyone knows what they have got to do. There are great leaders in the side and if nothing needs to be said then I’m not going to say it just for the sake of talking.”