Alex Corbisiero will make his Test debut for England against Italy on Saturday after Andrew Sheridan was ruled out with a back injury.
Sale front-rower to miss Twickenham clash with back injury
Prop Andrew Sheridan has been ruled out of England's RBS 6 Nations game against Italy on Saturday with a back injury.
England team manager Martin Johnson broke the news on Friday and subsequently announced that Alex Corbisiero of London Irish would make his Test debut at loose-head prop in Sheridan's place.
Sheridan reported soreness after training on Thursday and the final decision to not to risk him was made by England's medical team on Friday morning.
New York-born Corbisiero, 23, played for the Saxons over the last two weekends and trained with the senior squad earlier this week.
Johnson opted to bring Corbisiero - who had been named in London Irish's side to face Newcastle in this weekend's Aviva Premiership encounter - straight into the starting line-up rather than promote Bath's David Wilson off the bench.
Corbisiero will lock horns with Leicester tight-head Martin Castrogiovanni in Saturday's clash with Italy at Twickenham.
Solid
And Johnson had no fears over throwing Corbisiero straight into battle with the Italians.
"We think Alex is a solid character. We like solid characters. If you haven't got the character you can't go and play out there," Johnson said.
"That is what you need to be a Test player. It is whether they can handle the pressure and the physicality.
"I have been impressed with Alex whenever he has come in for training. He is a good guy. He is very humble but also very keen and he wants to work hard. I have been impressed with him as a bloke.
"We have no qualms putting him in there at loose-head and starting. David covers loose-head from the bench but Alex has more experience there.
"He has played in the Premiership for a few years now. He is fit, he is strong, he is keen and sharp. He understands the game and his role in it.
"We are excited to have him in the side. We felt like we found a Test quality player last week (in Wood) and hopefully we will find one tomorrow."
