Jon Fisher: Alex Corbisiero can prove doubters wrong, like me

Alex Corbisiero will leave no stone unturned in his bid to make the World Cup team says Jon Fisher, who is tipping his Northampton team- mate to re-establish his position as the nation’s premier No.1.
A series of injury-plagued seasons have seen 2013 British & Irish Lions star Corbisiero slip down England‘s pecking order behind Joe Marler, Mako Vunipola and Matt Mullan ahead of this summer’s defining World Cup training camp.
But Fisher, a long-time friend of New York-born Corbisiero, told The Rugby Paper: “All the other looseheads are playing well but Alex at his best is a formidable player and I expect him to be part of England’s final World Cup squad.
“He showed during the 2013 Lions tour that he can be the most destructive loosehead in the world and he’s doing everything to get back to that level. Over the next three weeks he’ll work hard to gain an edge before England meet up.
“He’s struggled a bit with injury and he’s been frustrated because he knows how he can play and the heights he has reached. But he has a knack of coming good at the right time and he’s always cut the mustard in the really big games.
“There isn’t anyone I’ve come across who looks after themselves and prepares for a game as well as Alex does. He is one of the most professional guys in the game and will do everything to be in England’s World Cup team.”
Northampton’s campaign ended in play-off semi-final disappointment against Saracens, but for Fisher it proved a triumph after it looked like his career might be over when he was released by London Irish last summer.
Fears over concussion were at the heart of the Exiles’ decision, but Fisher proved his doubters wrong by playing a full part in Northampton’s season before helping England to last week’s landslide 73-13 victory over the Barbarians.
An England U20s star in 2008, Fisher was tipped for great things, but a string of serious injuries looked to have stunted his progress before he made a comeback with Bedford in 2011 and battled his way back to the top.
“It’s been unbelievable,” said Fisher, 26.
“When I had the phone call from England I was a bit sore after losing the semi-final to Saracens, but it certainly softened the blow and to don an England shirt again was amazing.
“The last time was about six years ago when I was 20 and Stuart Lancaster had just taken over the Saxons. I played against Portugal but after that things started to go wrong and it’s been a long journey back to this point.
“It’s not the journey I envisaged after having to start over again at Bedford, but it’s one that’s made it much more valuable.”
Having been written off so many times, Fisher adds: “I can’t go into the reasons behind my leaving London Irish, but it’s not been a case of proving anyone wrong, it was more a case of proving to myself I was right.
“I never considered quitting but you have conversations with other people and they imply that’s what they think you should do. But you can use tools like that to inspire and motivate you, which is exactly what I’ve done.
“I always thought if I could string games together, stay focussed, confident and take my opportunities, things like this could happen again. It has now and I can only thank my family who’ve supported me so well.”
Having missed out on silverware this time around, Fisher is determined to break his duck next season.
He added: “There’s a winning mindset at Saints and you never prepare to lose, so there was dejection after losing to Saracens.
“But that trophy will come back to Franklin’s Gardens and it’s been a fantastic move for me.
“I’ve learnt a hell of a lot from playing alongside guys like Phil Dowson, Tom Wood, Samu Manoa and Callum Clark and with the signings we’ve already made for next season, I’m sure that will give us the edge going into a new campaign.
“Maybe winning the Premiership in my first season would have been too easy and more personal heartache was needed.
“But, rest assured, I’ll be driving into that training ground next season with all the motivation I need.”
NEALE HARVEY