Corbisiero: You can't beat a bit of history

If Corbisiero has one vice it is a passion for WWE wrestling - but all his outside interests will be on hold this weekend as England prepare to face Italy in Rome.

The country holds a fascination for Corbisiero, whose great-grandfather moved from Naples to New York in the 1920s, but the museum visits will have to wait for another trip.

Almost a year to the day after making his Test debut against the Azzurri in England's title-winning 2011 RBS 6 Nations campaign, Corbisiero will lock horns once again with Martin Castrogiovanni.

"Italy is part of my heritage. I am fascinated by its history," said Corbisiero, who is in the third year of his studies at Birkbeck College, University of London. "History was always my favourite subject at school. Instead of sitting around playing PlayStation, studying for a degree is something where I can use my time properly.

"I am very intrigued with the history behind things, the way things have developed. You can see patterns in history repeating themselves.

"This is a lovely place to visit and I would love to look around Rome - but I will have to save that for a holiday.

"I have a job to do here this weekend and I am focusing on getting that job right."

The Azzuri will be chasing a significant slice of rugby history - their first victory over England - when the two sides clash at a sold-out Stadio Flaminio.

There will be nothing stage managed, WWE-style, about Corbisiero's showdown with Castrogiovanni, the Leicester tighthead prop who epitomises the scrummaging strength of Italy's game.

"Castro is a tough test, a good scrummager he will put you under pressure. Any mistakes he will capitalise upon, he is a world-class tighthead," Corbisiero said.

"I played against him last year (on my England debut) and it was pretty even. I have obviously had a tough time with him before but you learn from stuff like that.

"It is going to be a real battle this weekend, not just me personally but as a pack, we are going to have to step it up and give our team the platform we want to play from."

Corbisiero was thrown in at the deep end last season, replacing Andrew Sheridan for the 59-13 victory over Italy with just 24 hours notice.

The American-born prop featured in four matches during England's first title-winning campaign in eight years, starting in three of them.

Corbisiero was picked for the World Cup but would have had every right to feel frustrated after being overlooked for Matt Stevens when Sheridan was injured again.

Stevens struggled in his less favoured loosehead position - but Corbisiero kept his counsel, one of three England players who refused to take part in the World Cup review process.

With Sheridan now all but retired from Test rugby, Corbisiero has reclaimed the number one England jersey and he is relishing the new environment under Stuart Lancaster.

Last week, he laid down a marker with an impressive all-round performance in England's 13-6 victory over Scotland at Murrayfield.

"It gives you good confidence to be picked," Corbisiero said.

"I am very pleased that (scrum coach) Graham Rowntree has put his faith in me. I have definitely made progress (over the past 12 months since debut).

"Physically I am in much better shape, I am a better athlete and mentally I am more experienced, more confident at this level, more vocal and more aware of what is going on around the pitch.

"I am really enjoying the positive environment. Standards have been set very high on and of the field.

"Everyone has put their head down working hard, we have a new set of leaders and everyone is buying into what we are doing.

"The squad is building. Winning in Scotland it was great to show the determination. We will be trying to step it up."