After impressing during a cameo appearance in Northampton Saints’ victory over Harlequins last weekend, Alex Corbisiero is ready to put his injury nightmares behind him for good, according to director of rugby Jim Mallinder.
The prop, who played two Tests in the British & Irish Lions’ triumphant tour of Australia in 2013, came off the bench to play the last 25 minutes of Saturday’s contest at Twickenham.
That run out was the 26-year-old’s first appearance since undergoing surgery to repair ligament damage sustained when he dislocated his shoulder against Bath in September.
Corbisiero is no stranger to injury frustrations, having spent much of last season on the sidelines after requiring surgery on both knees, but showed signs against Quins that his prowess in the scrum remains undiminished.
And with Corbisiero returning at a key point in the season for both club and country, Mallinder is relishing the chance to see the Lions prop at his destructive best once more.
“It was a massive positive to get him back,” said Mallinder.
“The two Waller brothers have been doing fantastically well for us, but to get someone who is as class as Alex Corbisiero back is a massive boost to the squad.
“He’s fine after the game, he’s fit and looking forward to next week.”
