Corbisiero the one that got away

IF things had turned out differently, Alex Corbisiero might have been rivalling Cian Healy for a place in Ireland’s front row rather than opposing him in an England jersey this weekend.

Saturday’s Six Nations finale with Grand Slam-chasing England will see the New York-born, Surrey-bred and London Irish-reared loosehead prop win just his fourth cap for his country at the Aviva Stadium but he could have been playing instead for Ireland.

The great-grandson of Italian emigrants to the United States, 22-year-old Corbisiero has an Irish grandparent but it was his English mother that provided his preferred route to international rugby, being called into Martin Johnson’s squad to make his debut against Italy after injury ruled out Andrew Sheridan.