Watch out I’m raring to go says Alex Corbisiero

Alex Corbisiero has quashed any fears over his future and says he is fit, hungry and ready to stake a claim for an England place this autumn.
Northampton’s destructive loosehead prop recovered from knee trouble to play a part in his side’s glorious trophy-winning end to last season.
But he missed England’s summer tour of New Zealand, preferring instead to undergo further rest and rehab ahead of a huge World Cup year.
He is confident the move has paid off, telling The Rugby Paper: “Individually, last season was frustrating. Missing big chunks was tough but coming back, playing in two winning finals was a great way to finish.
“One of the main attractions that brought me to Northampton was to play in a top tier side and I think it justified that position massively.
“Missing the tour was tough, though, and it was hard to watch, but it was in my best interests to rest and get back to 100 per cent again, which I’m glad I’ve achieved.
“Everyone likes to have their say about my knees and it’s been quite frustrating at times, but at the moment I’m absolutely fine. I’ve had good time off to build back into running and rugby and I feel back to myself and pretty confident.”
Despite his success with the Lions in 2013, Corbisiero has managed only three games for England in the last two seasons and has started just 13 Premiership matches for London Irish and Saints over the last three campaigns.
Corbisiero knows he must vastly improve on that if he is to push past Joe Marler, Mako Vunipola and Matt Mullan and earn a World Cup spot. He said: “I’ve obviously not played as much as I’d have liked and the aim this season is to stay fit and get a good club and country campaign underway with no setbacks.
“Every year is a big year for England, the club and myself, but this one especially so with the World Cup.
“There’s massive competition out there but my main focus is on myself and making sure I get back up to speed and keep improving. I want to develop my game and put down a marker week-in, week-out to get me back involved.
“I’ve got way more to go and a lot to prove. I feel fit and strong, my knees feel good and I’m ready to play some rugby in an awesome club side that provides a real good environment and is determined to keep pushing on.”
Corbisiero’s fortunes are linked to those of Saints, who are desperate to prove that last season’s Premiership title was no flash in the pan.
Leicester boss Richard Cockerill has already suggested Saints may not have the hunger to defend the title.
But Corbisiero refutes that, saying: “We know we need to back it up. We’re under no illusions and Leicester can say what they want but we’ll just focus on making sure we continue the way we finished.
“Believe me, everyone’s hungry. From minute one when we turned up for pre-season we were fully aware of not falling into the trap of complacency. We’ve done our best to avoid that and hopefully it won’t creep in.”
Saints boss Jim Mallinder has kept recruitment to a minimum, bringing in only half-back Joel Hodgson rather than freshening things with five or six new signings.
But Corbisiero welcomes that departure from the norm, adding: “If the coaches want to add people they’re prepared to do that, but with the squad we have it proves the coaches trust us and are happy with the direction we’re going in.
“They just want to build on what we have and keep developing guys coming through the academy, which seems like a very smart idea.
“If you look around the squad we have and the competitiveness in all the positions across the board, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else right now.
“Last season’s success was massive and a huge reward for a lot of people who poured their hearts and souls into the club on and off the field. But we’ve got the potential to push on now and keep achieving – and that’s what we aim to do.”
NEALE HARVEY
*This article was first published in The Rugby Paper on August 31.