Alex Corbisiero to return for London Irish against Gloucester

Alex Corbisiero, London Irish. Picture: David Davies/PA Archive

Friday, January 4, 2013
12:46 PM

London Irish will be bolstered this weekend by the return of Alex Corbisiero to the starting lineup for the Aviva Premiership match against Gloucester at Kingsholm.

The England International will join Halani Aulika and David Paice in the front row with George Skivington partnering Bryn Evans in the second row with the All Black captaining the side. Matt Garvey moves to the back row to join Canadian International, Jebb Sinclair and Chris Hala’ufia.

New signing Pat Phibbs will start at scrum half and Steven Shingler and Sailosi Tagicakibau will form the centre combination. Jonathan Joseph moves to the wing.

London Irish Director of Rugby Brian Smith said: “We’ve trained well this week and we’re looking forward to the contest tomorrow.

Gloucester are a very good team and deserve to go into the match as favourites, however we are looking at the contest as an opportunity to claim a big scalp. There is some history between the two clubs in recent times and the boys are very aware of that.”

London Irish team to face Gloucester:

15. Tom Homer; 14. Jonathan Joseph*; 13. Sailosi Tagicakibau*; 12. Steven Shingler; 11. Marland Yarde; 10. Ian Humphreys; 9. Patt Phibbs; 1. Alex Corbisiero*; 2. David Paice*; 3. Halani Aulika*; 4. George Skivington; 5. Bryn Evans* (Captain); 6. Matt Garvey; 7.Jebb Sinclair*; 8. Chris Hala’ufia*

Replacements: 16. Scott Lawson*; 17. Max Lahiff; 18.Leo Halavatau; 19. Kieran Low; 20. Jamie Gibson; 21. Guy Armitage; 22. Shane Geraghty*; 23. Jack Moates