Wales vs England: 'I just want to play for England again - I'll take every chance', says Alex Corbisiero

After two seasons written off for his country, the Lions Test prop tells Kevin Garside he's determined to make up for lost time at Six Nations

Northampton’s Alex Corbisiero has been out for three months with a shoulder injury (Getty)

If Stuart Lancaster has grounds for optimism ahead of the Six Nations it is rooted in the return of the bearded rapper from Northampton. For a man who has played only 40 minutes of international rugby for England since 2012, it is something of a miracle that Alex Corbisiero is not among the 11 either struggling to make Friday's trip to Wales or out altogether.

Corbisiero is back among the loose-head fraternity after three months out with a shoulder injury. Before that, he had surgery on both knees that might have spelt doom for his career since some in the medical profession deemed the affliction degenerative.

Having missed the last two Six Nations, the 26-year-old would be happy to carry the bags in Cardiff, never mind accept a seat on the bench. “Getting back in the environment is massive for me, taking me up another gear,” he says. “I respect whatever decision the coaches make.

“The front row is traditionally a strength of the English game. We have great depth in that area and great coaching. I feel very privileged to be in a squad representing my country and whether I’m involved in that game, from the bench, start or whatever, I just want to play for England again. I’ll take every opportunity I’m given.”

After sitting out so much these past two years, Corbisiero returns with an altered perspective and a sharper appreciation of his place in the wider scheme. “I have been unlucky,” he says. “It’s been frustrating. I’ve been through some tough times but I’ve learnt lessons. Mentally, I’m a lot stronger, a lot tougher. I have much better coping skills. I’m able to manage the process better. You can waste a lot of negative energy. You have to be positive and control what you can to get back as soon as possible. It makes you more hungry to get back out there and [it’s] sweeter when you do get back.”

The well-being of the modern player has never been under greater scrutiny. The intensity and workload have increased beyond the capacity of the game to cope. The former England coach Sir Clive Woodward (left) argues for reduced playing time and longer recovery. Easier said than done, according to Corbisiero.

“The game is evolving massively,” he says. “The intensity, the physicality, the way we push ourselves, the way we train. At some point, the body can’t take that stress when you are playing a high-impact sport. There are just too many variables and injuries happen.

“In an ideal world you would play fewer games and have more time off to rest, more time to manage, more time to rotate squads. But the reality of the Premiership, the financial demands on clubs, there is not much leeway. Hopefully, going forward there are steps that can be taken in player welfare and managing us.

“But we all sign up to this game. We know how many games are on the schedule. We all want to play for club and country. We have good guys in charge of our players’ union, trying to find a middle ground and a reasonable solution to things. It’s hard.

“People want to see rugby. There is a massive demand. Players want to play. The games are competitive. Who doesn’t want to play international rugby? In an ideal world, squads would be bigger and you could rotate more. Maybe that is the solution. But there is a salary cap and financial restraints on clubs, so we have to be reasonable about what is in front of us.”

And so to Cardiff, where England were well and truly speared on their last visit. Coach Warren Gatland went early with his selection, announcing the Wales team on Monday. It was the kind of move that typifies the occasion, a statement of intent designed to rattle the opposition. It was also utterly wasted on Corbisiero.

“The Welsh have done a great job of making it a real atmosphere. They seem to rise to the occasion there, especially against England, with a lot of emotional energy. They are not going to be scared of us one bit, the fact that they are at home. And we are not scared of them one bit. The last visit could be on the minds of some of the boys, wanting to put that right. At the same time we will be focused just on the win.”