England prop Corbisiero to take one year sabbatical

England and Northampton Saints prop Alex Corbisiero has announced that he will take a one year-long sabbatical from the game.

Corbisiero revealed in an interview with the Sunday Times that at the end of the season he will take a year off to “recharge his batteries”.

Twenty-seven-year-old Corbisiero has been troubled with injuries since he delivered a strong performance for the British and Irish Lions in 2013.

Corbisiero had an operation on his knee last week but said that it was mental, rather than physical, factors that had prompted him to take a year out.

“The decision was made before I knew that I would need that knee surgery,” he told the Sunday Times.

“My contract with Northampton Saints was up at the end of the year and I just decided not to renegotiate with Saints or speak with any other club. I am not stopping because I don’t have options.

“It is a decision that I feel is necessary if, in the longer term, I’m going to be the player I want to be. It is way more mental than physical.

“It’s no secret I’ve had a number of injuries and there’s been some frustrating times. But mentally I am drained and I’m really looking forward to some time away from the game.

“Recharge my batteries, come back re-motivated, ready to crack on again.”