Alex Corbisiero knows he must usurp a world-class rival if he is to mark his latest injury comeback with a recall to England’s starting XV for the Six Nations. Northampton’s 26-year-old prop has returned early from shoulder surgery and will play against Newcastle at Franklin’s Gardens on Friday as the next step towards challenging Joe Marler for the national No 1 shirt. Corbisiero has endured a prolonged spell of medical misfortune, which has limited him to just four Test caps in the last two years — two of them for the triumphant Lions in Australia. Alex Corbisiero has recently returned to action having dislocated his shoulder against Bath in September
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26-year-old has endured a spell of injuries with four Test caps in two years
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Joe Marler of Harlequins is currently the No1 prop for England
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Corbisiero and Marler will vie to start in England's Six Nations campaign
‘With @placeholder playing so well, if I want to get back in I have to play better.’