The Leicester number eight, arguably Englands outstanding performer during the autumn Tests, has not played since January 2.

A dislocated elbow suffered when Tigers beat Premiership opponents Gloucester at Kingsholm sidelined him for key domestic and European matches but, perhaps most significantly of all, Englands RBS 6 Nations opener against Wales last weekend.

Corry looked on from the Millennium Stadium stands as England crashed to a demoralising 11-9 defeat.

And the measure of Corrys worth to the world champions was underlined this week when coach Andy Robinson rushed him straight back into Test match action once he had proved his fitness.

I have been able to do all my fitness work off the field, but nothing gets your match fitness up as games do, said Corry.

I have not had that, but I have just got to make the best of the situation. I have been given a great opportunity, and it is up to me now to get out there and take it.

There is a certain element of going into the unknown. I just hope all the work I have done stands up.

My game is all about momentum, whereby you get playing well and you just want to keep playing. Unfortunately, I have had an enforced break, but to me it is another test of your mentality - whether you can have this break, and then come back to where you were before it, he added.

I was not in control of when I was going to be fit again. All I could do was take the advice and just do everything to the best of my ability, and that is what I did.

Corrys renowned physical presence will be vital to Englands cause this weekend, and with his Leicester colleague Lewis Moody also returning from injury, plus their fellow World Cup winner, prop Phil Vickery, it appears a much more powerful red rose pack.

In terms of my mindset, I have been tackling the likes of Simon Shaw in training this week, and I dont think France have got anything bigger and better to throw at me, he said.