ENGLAND prop Alex Corbisiero is taking a year off from rugby at the end of this season after admitting that he is “mentally drained.” He has no definite plans for his sabbatical at the moment other than to spend time in the United States with his grandparents, with whom he lived when he was young. However, he insists that he will return to the sport.

Corbisiero, who is 27 and should be at the peak of his playing career, has suffered a series of injury problems since his starring role for the British & Irish Lions in their decisive third Test win over Australia in July 2013. He has made just 30 appearances for his club Northampton in the subsequent two-and-a-half seasons. Last week he