London Irish ace joins up with England squad

Tuesday, November 13, 2012
12:54 AM

Alex Corbisiero checked into the England team hotel last night in the hope he had proved his fitness to Stuart Lancaster ahead of Saturday’s QBE international against Australia.

The London Irish prop made his first appearance of the season in the Exiles’ LV= Cup win against Sale after overcoming the knee injury he suffered on England’s summer tour.

Corbisiero lasted 62 minutes at the Madejski Stadium before heading to Pennyhill Park to undergo a full assessment from the England medical staff.

If it transpires he came through the match unscathed, Corbisiero will go straight into contention to face the Wallabies at Twickenham.

England head coach Stuart Lancaster is also hopeful that centre Jonathan Joseph will have shaken the ankle injury that ruled him out of Saturday’s 54-12 win against Fiji.

A total of 37 players arrived at England’s training camp last night, including Dylan Hartley and Courtney Lawes who will not have recovered from knee injuries in time to face Australia.

Lancaster will confirm his 23-man squad on Tuesday night and finalise his starting line-up on Thursday.

The wing positions are arguably the most contentious, with Chris Ashton available again after suspension and likely to return straight to the starting XV.

Ashton has scored three tries in three Tests against the Wallabies and Lancaster believes he will have a point to prove next weekend.

England scored seven tries in total against Fiji but Ashton missed out on the chance to break his international duck for 2012 after collecting three yellow cards for dangerous play.

In his absence, Charlie Sharples scored twice against Fiji in an impressive all-round display while Ugo Monye capped his return to the England team after over two years out with a try.