Saints prop Corbisiero hoping for an injury-free campaign

And he is now targeting an injury-free campaign as he bids to help the club he joined last summer earn more silverware this time round.

The England prop missed six months of last season with a knee injury sustained on international duty in November.

But he fought to get fit in time for the final pursuit of glory and started both showpieces as Saints won the Aviva Premiership and Amlin Challenge Cup.

“It was a tough year last year missing big chunks, but it finished on a high note,” said Corbisiero, who will again battle Alex Waller for the loosehead spot this season.

“I’m very fortunate to have got back for the last couple of games. Being able to start two finals and win two trophies was pretty awesome and justified my reasons for wanting to come to a team like Saints.”

Corbisiero has been named in the starting 15 for tonight’s final friendly at Newport-Gwent Dragons and he will look to come through unscathed ahead of the start of the new season.

The 25-year-old can’t wait to get stuck into Gloucester in the Premiership opener at the Gardens next Friday and is hoping for a full year of action for club and country.

“I’ve had a good bit of rest, good bit of pre-season, and I’m feeling fit and healthy,” he said.

“I just need to stay healthy, build performances, keep improving, get some rugby under my belt and try to lay a marker down for my club rugby.

“Hopefully I’ll get back involved in international rugby but I’ll take that as it comes.

“Right now, I’m just focusing on week in, week out performing to the best of my abilities and staying healthy.”