Alex Corbisiero’s return to domestic action is be a massive boost for both club and country, according to Northampton Saints boss Jim Mallinder.
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The 26-year-old England and British & Lions prop came off the bench to play the last 25 minutes of the Saints’ clash against Harlequins at Twickenham on Saturday in his first appearance since undergoing surgery on a dislocated shoulder in September.
Corbisiero, who has made nine RBS 6 Nations appearances since making his debut in the competition in 2011, is no stranger to injuries and spent much of last season on the sidelines after requiring surgery on both knees.
His latest setback ruled him out of Stuart Lancaster’s squad for the Autumn Internationals but his return to first-team action will undoubtedly be welcome news for the England head coach as he shapes his squad ahead of the RBS 6 Nations next year.
Mallinder was impressed with Corbisiero in his second-half outing against Quins and has tipped the forward to be an important player for his side in the second-half of the season.
“It was a massive positive to get Alex back,” said Mallinder.
“The two Waller brothers have been doing fantastically well for us, but to get someone who is as class as Alex Corbisiero back is obviously a massive boost to the squad.
“He’s fine after the game, he’s fit and looking forward to next week.” Visit our official RBS 6 Nations Instagram page to follow all the best images from the Championship