RUGBY:UNCAPPED Italian-American prop Alex Corbisiero has been called into the England squad for Saturday's Six Nations match against Italy.
Corbisiero’s grandfather Riccardo left Naples for America in the 1950s to run a restaurant in New York.
The 23-year-old scored against the Azzurri in an under-20 Six Nations game in 2008. “Scoring against Italy is something I wanted to do because it is part of my heritage. I made sure that I swapped my shirt afterwards so I could have an Italian one for my grandfather,” said the London Irish prop.
England have also called up winger James Simpson-Daniel as cover for Nick Abendanon.
Meanwhile, versatile Australian back Adam Ashley-Cooper has turned down offers from overseas to sign a two-year extension with the Wallabies until 2013.
The 26-year-old, who has played at centre, fullback and wing in more than 50 Tests for Australia, has not yet decided whether to commit to his Super rugby team, the Brumbies, for the extended period, however.
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