Corry set for 'biggest challenge'

Corry's position has come under fire following the loss to Argentina

England skipper Martin Corry says leading his beleaguered side against South Africa on Saturday is the "biggest challenge" of his career.

England go into the match on a run of seven straight defeats knowing that another would condemn the side to their worst sequence of results in 135 years.

Corry has been under pressure following the defeat by Argentina last weekend.

"I've never ducked a challenge. This is the biggest challenge of my career, personally, and for the team," he said.

The England team were booed off the Twickenham pitch last weekend after their error-ridden display against the Pumas.

The defeat has led to Corry, his team-mates and head coach Andy Robinson coming under intense scrutiny this week.

There is a lot of anger in the squad about what happened last week Martin Corry

"You become desperate to get out there again," said Corry, who captains England for the 13th time.

"Twickenham remains that very special place for all of us. We recognise that everyone - the public, the players, coaches and officials - demand success from England, and that is how it should be.

"We let a lot of people down last Saturday, and the crowd's reaction reflected that.

"Please judge us on this performance. We know the fans hurt last week, but no one hurt as much at Twickenham as we did in the changing room.

"A lot of things have been said this week, and our performance has meant it has been open season on the team.

"What you do is pool all your emotions to produce a huge performance."

The Springboks are also a team under pressure following their last-place finish in the 2006 Tri-Nations and last week's 32-15 defeat at the hands of Ireland in Dublin.

Robinson has changed almost half the side beaten by the Pumas

South Africa, who are without several of their top players, have lost their last six Tests against England while their last Twickenham win came in 1997.

But Corry has warned his side that the Springboks will still provide a stern test this weekend.

"All Test matches are different, and with South Africa you can see their emphasis on physicality," he added.

606 DEBATE: Your views on England'c chances

"But you must not make the mistake of playing too tight, because they have men outside who rate among the best finishers in the world.

"It is going to be physical, because we will make it so. We will take the game to them.

"There is a lot of anger in the squad about what happened last week, so it is great we get to play again a week later."