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 United States 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 banned flanker Schalk Burger is unavailable - start as red-hot favourites.

But Corry believes England, whose last World Cup defeat came against the Springboks in Paris almost eight years ago, 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. We will take any motivation we can, and the ideal game for us is South Africa. Friday night can't come soon enough.

''We've had the rollickings after our performance against the USA last weekend, and we deserved them. We let our supporters, we let ourselves and we let the country down.''

To have any chance of stunning the Springboks - and taking pole position in their qualifying pool - England will need to dominate the physically-punishing breakdown area.

And with match citing commissioners having already made their mark on the tournament, it is also about keeping discipline in the heat of battle.

Corry added: ''It (contact area) is a big area for controlled aggression. At times, there will be a bit of mayhem there. We want to be taking the physical edge right to the limit, but not beyond.

''We have got to make sure we have 15 players on the field all the time.''

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

If England lose, they will effectively need victory over Samoa in Nantes tomorrow week to keep themselves in the tournament and avoid becoming the first Rugby World Cup holders to crash out before the quarter-finals.

Ashton said: ''There is a mood within the squad that I haven't seen since I took over as head coach. I have not felt that type of atmosphere before.

''There is a completely different mindset from last week.

"The players don't want to be associated with a performance like that (against America). This will be completely different.''

The Catt / Farrell midfield axis is crucial to English hopes of a surprise win, and there is no doubt it would rank among England's greatest victories if they emerge triumphant.

Catt, 36 next Sunday, makes his first start in the England number 10 jersey since the 1999 Grand Slam-wrecking Five Nations defeat against Wales at Wembley.

Catt said: ''Me and Faz will ring the changes, with a view to simply controlling the game.

''It is up to us to make sure we are playing the game in the right parts of the pitch.

''Personally, I don't think too much about rugby, I rely on instinct.

''Faz is a great rugby player, with a very good left foot, and with my right boot, we have the sort of kicking combination that is becoming common in rugby now, especially in the southern hemisphere.

''I believe Andy's goalkicking has gone well in practice, but aged 31, he's far too sensible to try to emulate Jonny's hours of practice!

''Of course, this is massively high up in importance of all the matches I have played.

''It takes me back to Twickenham a few years ago when we were underdogs when South Africa brought their long unbeaten record to us, and we beat them.''