Alex Corbisiero arrived in Brisbane today after a five-flight, two-day trip and declared he’d "do it all again" tomorrow so he could join the British & Irish Lions.
He was called up friom the England tour in South America to take over from Cian Healy, who is returning home after injuring his ankle in Wednesday night's win over the Western Force, and will be joined by another newcomer, Scottish prop Ryan Grant, later today after he was recruited to take over from Gethin Jenkins.
Jenkins, on his third tour with the Lions, pulled up in training on Friday as he prepared to make his first start of the 125th annviersary tour and has been ruled out of the rest of the trip due to his recurring calf muscle problem. He will return home with Healy.
Corbisiero went from Salta in Argentina to Buenos Aires, Santiago in Chile, Auckland, Sydney and finally Brisbane where he met up with his new squad mates ahead of this evening’s match against the Queensland Reds.
“It was a long journey but I’m not complaining – I would do it again just to be here. You never like to come in for anyone who is injured and I feel for Cian and Gethin, but I just feel so privileged to be given this opportunity," said Corbisiero.
"It’s been a bit of a whirlwind afternoon meeting everyone and I’m looking forward to going to the game tonight and then getting down to training. I also want to wish England all the best against Argentina today.”
Jenkins will join Healy in flying home on Sunday after scans showed the Welsh prop’s calf strain has not fully healed.
British & Irish Lions Head Doctor James Robson said: “The expected time for recovery is at least three weeks and given the remaining duration of the tour we felt that Gethin should return home and continue his rehabilitation there.”
Grant is due to arrive in Brisbane today after he left Scoltland's camp in South Africa, where they play Samoa today. He will then undergo a medical before joining the tour.
