Alex Corbisiero says England owe it to the country to end their Test series in South Africa with a morale-boosting victory.
England prop looking to end with a win in South Africa
Alex Corbisiero says England owe it to the country to end their Test series in South Africa with a morale-boosting victory.
England head into Saturday's third Test in Port Elizabeth looking for a consolation victory after battling defeats in the opening two matches in Durban and Johannesburg.
There have been some promising moments for Stuart Lancaster's troops, but a win against the Springboks would just give that extra boost to build on for the future.
"That is our goal and that is what everyone is focusing on," said Corbisiero. "This weekend is a big challenge for us and we want to walk away finishing this tour on a high note.
"We have had two tough defeats but there have been some real positives in those games. We want to close out a win - it would be massive for the boys.
Hard work
"There has been so much hard work, so much effort has gone in. We are gelling as a team. We owe it to ourselves and owe it to the country to get that win."
Corbisiero is himself pushing for a starting place after missing the first Test through injury and then coming on as a substitute in Johannesburg.
The London Irish loosehead underwent a biceps operation in April and missed the end of the domestic season before jarring his knee in training soon after arrival in South Africa.
The 23-year-old said: "It was frustrating to lose (in Johannesburg) but it was really nice to get back on playing with the boys and wearing that England shirt.
"It was a tough game from the start and I came on and enjoyed my time on there. I tried to make an impact - I thought the scrum was going well - and it was nice to be back healthy and involved with the boys."
Head coach Stuart Lancaster is due to name his side tomorrow with Corbisiero's return one of a number of changes he could make in an attempt to avoid a whitewash.
Two of them will be enforced with influential captain Chris Robshaw and scrum-half Ben Youngs both out through injury.
Injuries
Their absences could clear the way for James Haskell and Danny Care to resurrect their international careers.
Flanker Haskell has not played since the World Cup after opting to play club rugby in Japan and New Zealand while half-back Care was dropped earlier this year after a number of off-field incidents.
Number eight Thomas Waldrom and full-back Alex Goode are also pushing for their first starts after coming off the bench last week.
A recall for Corbisiero would come at the expense of Harlequins front rower Joe Marler, who has generally impressed in his first two international outings in South Africa.
Corbisiero said: "He has had a fantastic tour and a great season. He has been outstanding for Harlequins all year and has done very well out here.
"I am just happy to get back in the side but if I am on the bench or starting we are in this together."
