Martin Corry is ready to accept South Africa's immense physical challenge tomorrow and ensure England are not pushed closer towards an early World Cup exit.

Defeat against the Springboks at Stade de France would leave the 2003 world champions needing victory over Samoa in Nantes next week to keep alive their title hopes.

No Rugby World Cup holder has previously gone out in the pool stage, yet England, whose preparations to face South Africa have been hit by injuries and suspension, could create an unwanted piece of history.

They produced a dreadful display in defeating Pool A rivals the United States last weekend, failing to secure a bonus point and ending a dire contest with Lawrence Dallaglio sin-binned.

Skipper Phil Vickery has subsequently collected a two-match ban for tripping Eagles centre Paul Emerick, while there are injury clouds over fly-halves Olly Barkley and Jonny Wilkinson, leading to Andy Farrell being handed the fly-half role.

South Africa, meanwhile, have lost star flanker Schalk Burger to a four-game suspension, but their performance in swamping Samoa 59-7 suggests England are distant second favourites for the 80,000 sell-out clash.

Corry, who will skipper England against the Springboks, said: ''We have been harsh on ourselves this week - we've had to be.

''In a way, if that United States game had to happen for us to realise where we were going wrong, then hopefully it has happened and we can use it as a positive.

''We've worked very hard and said a lot of things, but we all know how easy talking is. It's a question now of generating the emotion and belief going into Friday night.

''We've all seen how well South Africa are playing and we know what type of performance we are going to need to make sure we match them.

''We haven't played complete dross. In parts we've played well, what we've been lacking is the consistency of our performance.

''We know it's there, we've just got to make sure we produce it, not for 20 minutes but a top-quality performance for 80 minutes.''

Corry's selection in the back-row reflects how England head coach Brian Ashton views South Africa's lineout presence as a major threat.

It effectively means England will have three locks in the pack, a tactic that worked well in the World Cup warm-up game against Wales at Twickenham.

Corry added: ''With South Africa, you are looking at a very well-drilled set of forwards, but it is not just their lineout, it is what they offer around the park.

''They are a very physical, direct side. That, to me, is laying down a challenge.

''They don't make any bones about how they are going to play and it is up to us to accept that challenge.

''It is down to each individual to make sure the mindset is right. We've got a Test match to win, and that is all we've got to look at.

''Schalk Burger is a world-class player and losing him will weaken them, but South Africa have shown they've got strength in depth. Whoever comes in will be a world-class player.''

A rejigged England back-row sees Corry packing down alongside Tom Rees and Harlequins number eight Nick Easter, who has been preferred to Dallaglio.

Easter was among the few shining lights of England's two-Test tour to South Africa earlier this year, coping well with the physical demands the Springboks place on opposition sides.

He said: ''I was obviously disappointed to be left out altogether against the United States but we know the quality of back-row players in this squad.

''I was fully behind the team on Saturday.

''It certainly helps if you have played against the opposition before and you know what is coming, but this is a different South African side and certainly a different England side playing in a fully-charged atmosphere.

''It's as big as it comes, really.

''When it comes to physicality at the breakdown, the southern hemisphere teams have probably moved away from northern hemisphere sides.

''The Six Nations sides have struggled in that breakdown area.

"We've done a lot of work on it just about every single session during the past few months - backs and forwards alike - so it is not as though it has escaped our attention.

''We know we've got to be right on our game in that area but we've got the players to do it.''