RUGBY:ITALY HAVE yet to beat England after 16 previous meetings but a glimmer of unexpected hope is suddenly discernible. By calling up London Irish's Alex Corbisiero for the injured Andrew Sheridan, the hosts have not only picked the first New York-born prop to play for England but added a dash of uncertainty to a frequently predictable fixture. If the 22-year-old can make it here, against the formidable Martin Castrogiovanni, he can make it anywhere.
To add to the fairytale element of the story, Corbisiero is of Italian descent, his grandfather Riccardo having swapped Naples for America in the 1950s to run a New York restaurant. Martin Johnson, England’s team manager, will be rather less worried about the newcomer’s Neapolitan roots than whether he can avoid meltdown courtesy of Italy’s intimidating scrummagers. Allow the Azzurri to dominate in that critical area and it could be a tougher afternoon than most England supporters are anticipating.
The likes of Castrogiovanni, the Italian captain Leonardo Ghiraldini and the veteran loosehead Salvatore Perugini will certainly be licking their lips, having already inflicted substantial damage on Ireland in Rome last week.
Sheridan’s lower back injury, sustained in training on Thursday before stiffening up overnight, means England will now field what rugby statisticians believe is the youngest starting frontrow in their history. With a mere 36 caps between them (and an average age of 23) they are barely out of nappies even by modern Test standards. Italy’s three grizzled tenors, by comparison, average more than 60 caps per man.
Corbisiero, who weighs 18st 3lb and is 6ft 1in tall, has at least served a decent apprenticeship, featuring in 41 Premiership games for Irish since his club debut in 2008. He has long been regarded as an exciting prospect, having represented KCS Old Boys, London Scottish, Cobham, London Welsh and Nottingham, and can play on both sides of the scrum. He moved to Britain just before his fifth birthday but still has an uncle involved in the catering industry in Queens.
England can only hope their debutant is a quick learner. While he impressed at tighthead for England Saxons against Italy A at Worcester just a fortnight ago, Test rugby will be a different ball game.
