Alex Corbisiero: Northampton Saints to sign London Irish man
 

Northampton Saints will sign England loosehead prop Alex Corbisiero from London Irish at the end of the season.

The 24-year-old has made 76 appearances for the Exiles and has 18 England Test caps, including in the successful 2011 Six Nations campaign.

Saints expect to lose Brian Mujati and Soane Tonga'uiha this summer.

Corbisiero said: "There is a great culture and hopefully I can help the team succeed whilst continuing my progression as a player."

The United States-born player is a doubt for England's Six Nations opener against Scotland on 2 February with a knee injury. He had been offered a new contract by the Exiles but will instead bolster the Saints' front row next season.

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“They are still in their early-to-mid twenties [and] we believe that there is plenty more to come from themJim Mallinder on Alex Corbisiero, Alex Waller and Tom Mercey

"I've really enjoyed my time at London Irish and am grateful for everything that the club has given me," he said.

Meanwhile, Saints duo Alex Waller and Tom Mercey have both agreed new deals.

Waller, 22, is the only Saints player to have featured in every first-team match-day squad since the start of the 2011-12 season. He also won the club's Young Player of the Season award last year.

The Kettering-born senior academy graduate has made 78 appearances.

"It wasn't a hard decision to make," he said.

"My family are in the area, I've been playing here for the last four or five years and I feel that I have developed a lot as a player. Hopefully I've become an established member of the squad and can keep on pushing for a starting spot."

Mercey, 25, who is in his third season at Franklin's Gardens, has made 44 appearances for Saints and has also represented England Saxons.

Director of rugby Jim Mallinder says he sees a lot of potential in the trio.

"All three players have plenty of experience and because they are still in their early-to-mid twenties we believe that there is plenty more to come from them," he said.

 

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