Dallaglio got the better of England rival Corry in Cardiff on Saturday

Dallaglio's bid to win back the England number eight shirt from captain Corry has brought some criticism.

But Dallaglio said: "I am baffled by the interest in it all. I put my hand up and said I want to play for England

"People are making me out to be a bit of a villain. There needs to be competition in the whole team."

In the build-up to Saturday's showdown, the former England captain Dallaglio denied he was a destabilising influence on the England team.

"A lot of attention seems to be focused on myself and Martin. That has not been my ambition and it mustn't detract from the team," he said on Friday.

Obviously I want to be in the team - but you have to earn your place in the team Lawrence Dallaglio

"I have a huge amount of respect for Martin, and I mean that."

Dallaglio, a former England skipper, returned to the camp this year after 18 months in international retirement.

But his comeback has not been met with universal approval.

Leicester prop Graham Rowntree accused him of "talking his way" back into the squad while ex-England captain Phil de Glanville said Dallaglio should not talk openly about his desire to claim a place in the starting line-up.

Dallaglio has been on the bench for all the three Six Nations games so far and replaced Leicester captain Corry against Wales and Scotland.

The most controversial substitution came in last Saturday's defeat at Murrayfield with England losing with 15 minutes to go.

Leicester coach Pat Howard questioned the decision, saying: "I think England could have won if Corry had stayed on the pitch. I appreciate the thoughts and processes, but he is the captain."

But Dallaglio hit back by saying: "What we all want is to see England be as successful as possible. Martin and I are no different.

As far as I am concerned the media has blown this out of all proportion Martin Corry

"For that to happen we need everyone playing as well as they can and causing selection problems. That is the challenge we all face.

"Obviously I want to be in the team - but you have to earn your place in the team.

"I am there in the England squad to compete and hopefully that might turn into 80 minutes. Until then I must work as hard as I can to force myself in.

"The role off the bench is a different one and one I have to get used to.

"I am very, very committed to the England cause. I was as disappointed as anyone that we lost against Scotland."

For his part, Corry is keen to play down any confrontation with Dallaglio.

"As far as I am concerned the media has blown this out of all proportion," he told BBC's Sport on Five programme.

"It is not about two players. England have a wealth of talent in the back row and there are selection issues in every area of the team, which is fantastic."