Retiring flanker Martin Corry admits it will be an emotional farewell when he leads the Barbarians at Twickenham.
Saturday's game is live on Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports HD1 at 4.15pm
Martin Corry admits it will be an emotional farewell to English rugby when he leads the Barbarians out at Twickenham on Saturday.
The 35-year-old former England captain is retiring after a glittering career to pursue interests outside of rugby.
The World Cup winner admits emotion will take over in Saturday's game against England - but he will have no regrets after fulfilling everything he could have wished for in his career.
He won 64 international caps - plus a further seven for the Lions - as well as enjoying 12 trophy-laden seasons at Leicester.
Emotion
"Tomorrow is going to be hugely emotional. It's one of the few games which you go into and allow emotion to take over," he said on Friday.
"I'm really looking forward to it. My family will be there to support me like they have been throughout my career.
"They'll see the last one while my kids will be mascots. Singing the national anthem - it should be awesome.
"I've had lots of highs and my fair share of lows but when I look back now at what I've experienced, it puts a smile on my face.
"That's the most important thing - I've got no regrets.
"If I was a little kid and were to write down what I wanted from a rugby career, then it would be what I've had."
Corry is struggling with a pelvic condition and it remains to be seen if he will be able to last all 80 minutes of the match, which also sees fellow World Cup winner Josh Lewsey bow out.
Leicester entered the Guinness Premiership and Heineken Cup finals this month without their club captain, yet in typical fashion his only frustration was seeing the Tigers missing out on the double.
"Not winning the European final was the difficult bit. I knew what was going to happen, that I wouldn't be playing," said Corry.
"If I was playing great, if I wasn't then I was happy with the supporting role.
"I know the state of my body and how good the players in our squad are."
Pay dividends
As regards the England squad, Corry believes the work of team manager Martin Johnson is beginning to pay dividends.
"The Premiership is always a good indicator of the strength of rugby in this country," he said.
"Four weeks before the end of the season the top four sides were all on 57 points. That says a lot.
"Because of what happened against France and Scotland in the Six Nations everyone is looking forward to when England next play.
"Johnno is instilling the discipline and culture that are crucial if the team is to get back to where it was.
"We're not there yet and this team needs time and space to develop into what could be the best side in the world again."
But with a match to be won, Johnson has little time for sentimentality as he hopes his former Lions and Leicester team-mate's last match in England ends in defeat.
"You could always rely on Cozza. He's a good bloke and good example to any player. But I hope his career finishes on a low!" he said.
