Martin Corry has predicted ''direct and physical'' early exchanges when England and Samoa fight for their World Cup lives in Nantes today.

Both teams are on the rebound from their worst performances in World Cup history, facts readily acknowledged by rival coaches Brian Ashton and Michael Jones.

If Samoa lose at the Stade de la Beaujoire they will crash out of World Cup contention, with England then heading towards a pool stage eliminator against Tonga on Friday.

Should England suffer another embarrassing defeat Samoa could send them home ludicrously early by claiming a bonus-point triumph over the United States in five days time.

No reigning rugby world champion has failed to reach the tournament knockout stage, but England have shown nothing so far to suggest that humiliating fate won't befall them.

Skipper Corry said: ''We haven't needed extra motivation.

''There is a determination to put things right. We are playing well below our best.

''You just have to look at what is riding on this game for both sides.

''You look at the way Samoa played in the first 50 minutes against South Africa. They put their absolute all into it, and they will put their absolute all into tomorrow.

''The first ten minutes of every Test match is very physical and this, I imagine, will be even more direct and physical.''

Samoa are still reeling from a dismal display in losing 19-15 to Tonga, although its level of incompetence hardly challenged England's 36-0 surrender to South Africa - their record World Cup defeat - two days earlier.

Corry added: ''It is one thing being associated with one performance like that, you don't want to make it two. We have been very critical of ourselves.

''Everyone in this camp, whether you are playing, on the bench, not involved, coaching or doing the kit, wants to be associated with a successful World Cup campaign.''

Those hopes now hinge on beating a nation even England's World Cup winners struggled to despatch in Melbourne four years ago.

And with Samoa recalling fit-again Brian ''The Chiropractor'' Lima in midfield, a reshaped England side know exactly what is coming at them.

Ashton said: ''This is the biggest game for us at the World Cup so far and if the players and management can't get enthused by that then we are in the wrong place.

''I am delighted to see that enthusiasm and I am sure it will reveal itself in the performance against Samoa.

''People talk about the differences between anxiety and adrenaline running through the body.

''Adrenaline is a very positive thing to take into a game because it means you are fired up and ready to play.

''Anxiety is the negative side of adrenaline and you try to put that on one side and focus on what the processes are going to be when we get on the field.

''A win is an absolute must, but a better performance is an absolute must as well.

''We've looked at the South Africa game and thought that was probably the worst performance by an English team in a World Cup, so we (England and Samoa) are both in the same boat from that point of view. Both teams have a lot to play for.''

Ashton has made sweeping changes behind the scrum, where Jonny Wilkinson and Olly Barkley will look to control matters from fly-half and inside centre, while also keeping an eye on the threatening Lima.

Mark Cueto, one of the most prolific try-scoring wings in world rugby, returns to his best position following a troubled stint at full-back, and Newcastle's Mathew Tait's midfield presence suggests England might at last possess a cutting edge. They have failed to score a try in three of their last four Tests, but England must ride above such mediocrity to stay on course for a quarter-final appointment with Australia