Home is definitely where the heart is for England’s Brad Barritt, who insists that playing against his country of birth is meaningless as he prepares to take on South Africa at Twickenham this weekend.

The Saracens centre represented South Africa at under-21 level having been born in Durban, but qualified to hold a UK passport through his Rhodesian parents.

Since making his Red Rose debut Barritt has gone on to face the Springboks three times and is yet to taste victory, the best result being a draw in Port Elizabeth in June 2012.

But there can be no questioning the 28-year-old’s commitment to English rugby, as he laughed off the idea that Saturday’s encounter with the Springboks would be more special than other Tests.

“Every match for England is important and you certainly don’t prioritise any one match above another,” he said.

“There is certainly an added incentive playing against your country of birth, but for me it is all about representing England and us getting a performance we can be proud of.

“I don’t feel there is anything more personal to it. I am truly integrated into English life and into this English team, and it is certainly where I consider home.

“Having said that, there are obviously players for South Africa that I have played with in the past, at both club or international level, and that is always a strange feeling.

“But once you get on that pitch all that goes out the window and it’s about doing what you can for the team.

“It’s not like cricket where you have lots of time to think about things off the ball or the ability to really talk to each other. If some sledging does come my way I’ll take it and give it back in equal measure.”

Barritt fed Jonny May for the astonishing try that gave England the explosive start they were looking for last time out against the All Blacks.

However attacking opportunities were few and far between from then on with Stuart Lancaster’s men camped in their own territory for most of the second half as they slipped to a 24-21 defeat.

But Barritt is adamant his centre partnership with Kyle Eastmond can produce the flair in attack needed to take down the world’s second-best side.

“It’s been great and we can look at it positively after the first 40 minutes. I think we both were able to get into the game and take our game to them,” Barritt added.

“The level of execution from our defence was very good – we stifled an All Black team that has scored 60% of their tries from first phase.

“But this weekend we want to be given a lot more ball and show what we can bring in attack, and we have been spot on running plays in training. To express that on the field on Saturday is key.

“Training with Mike Catt and Andy (Farrell) here to bring the attacking flair out of you as a player has been a big positive for me.

“But I need to maintain my reliability as that is equally as impressive in the test arena – having people who bring the others together and can be a lynchpin in attack and defence is what you need.”

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