After putting years of injury frustration behind him last weekend, running out for the final 20 minutes in England's opening Rugby World Cup warm-up clash with France, Alex Corbisiero is now a man determined to make up for lost time.
As disappointing as missing out on this year's Six Nations was for the 26-year-old prop, a bigger test lies in wait next month when the Red Rose play host to the sport's biggest tournament.
With one World Cup already under his belt, as well as starring for the British & Irish Lions on their last tour in 2013, Corbisiero is now aiming to overcome his latest injury setback in the hope of earning a place in Stuart Lancaster's final 31-man squad.
Sports Mole caught up with the Northampton Saints star to get the lowdown from inside the England camp, with exactly one month to go before the showpiece event gets underway.
After weeks of high-intensity training, the preparations were finally put to good use in Saturday's run-out against France. What was that like for you?
"It was very special being back at Twickenham. It's been a long time since I last got to put an England shirt on, so to run out in front of the home crowd was nice. I enjoyed my 20 minutes out on the pitch."
© Getty ImagesCorbisiero last started a Test for England back in December 2012
You have since picked up an injury of some sort. Is that something which is likely to keep you out of action?
"My back flared up a little bit, but it will hopefully settle down a bit over the next few days. It shouldn't be anything too serious."
All these Autumn fixtures are intended to get you fully geared up for next month's World Cup. With time fast ticking down, what are the overriding feelings on a personal level at the moment?
"I'm very nervous but also excited, too. Having the opportunity to compete in a World Cup on home soil, with everything that is at stake, is going to be pretty incredible. It's something that I'm really excited about."
Having already featured in a World Cup, as well as representing the Lions, do you believe past experience can play a big part for you if given the nod?
"I definitely think the experience will help me. I'm fortunate enough to have played in some big games before and produced some good performances, so hopefully I'll be able to draw on that in some tough times.
"If I'm given the opportunity to play in any big games then I'm sure, when the stakes are even higher, I'll be able to call on those previous lessons that I've learnt over time and use them to my advantage."
You have been together in the England camp for a while now, being put through your paces ahead of the curtain-raiser against Fiji, so what is the atmosphere like at this moment in time?
"The mood is good. We have all worked very hard and pushed ourselves to places where we didn't even know we could go. We have come out the other side of that now and are all ready to hit the rugby.
"It was good to get that first run-out at the weekend, which we know wasn't perfect, but there are still plenty of positives to take from it. Now it's the turn of the rest of the squad to take some confidence from last weekend and hopefully build some momentum heading into the World Cup."
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Corbisiero experienced Aviva Premiership disappointment last season as the Saints fell to Saracens in the semi-finals
Is there any apprehension there, though? You can't all make the final cut...
"Yeah, massively. You have got to be realistic about the environment you are in. Some people are not going to make the cut and, as devastating as that is, you have just got to make sure that you give it your best shot to try and make the final 31. Even if you don't make the cut you then have to be ready and waiting if you are needed to be called upon."
Just what would it mean to run out in that opening fixture on September 18 in front of a packed Twickenham crowd?
"It would mean everything to me. It would be the pinnacle of my career; the opportunity to represent my country, family, loved ones and all those who sacrificed something to help me get to where I am. To be in that position, running out on the field with that shirt on in front of the home crowd, that would certainly be the ultimate pinnacle of my career."
You have certainly been dealt a difficult hand, being drawn in a strong pool containing Australia, Wales and Fiji...
"We have got some real stiff competition in the group games. It is never going to be easy, but if you are going to win the World Cup then you have to take on the giants of the sport along the way. We have got two big boys in our pool and we are going to have to put in some big performances and take each game as it arrives.
"It will take going above and beyond the call of duty to get a win over those two sides and move on in the tournament. We are certainly under no illusions about just how hard it is going to be, which perhaps motivates us that little bit more knowing that we are not going to be allowed to ease into it. If we want to progress we will have to hit the ground running."
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Sam Burgess is among those looking to win over boss Stuart Lancaster pre-World Cup
So what are England's hopes for the World Cup, then? Is the target to go all the way and lift the iconic Webb Ellis Cup?
"Yeah, I think you have to be aiming for that. You need to have self-belief if you want to achieve something and we all know that we are capable of doing exactly that. We just have to make sure we don't take anything for granted, leave no stone unturned and ensure we give 100% commitment, effort and dedication to ensure we achieve something like that."
In terms of these warm-up fixtures, are they intended purely for fitness and selection purposes, or is it important you pick up victories?
"To be honest, I don't even call them warm-up games. To me they are simply Tests - or Autumn internationals - because there is nothing friendly about them, certainly not in the encounters between England and France.
"The physicality and intensity of it, right from minute one goes to show that. We need to have Sam Burgess putting big hits in from the off because these are not warm-up games - they are international tests that we need to win in order to build momentum to leave us in the right place for the World Cup."
Speaking of Sam Burgess, there has been a lot of talk about him over the past few weeks. Do you believe he performed well enough in that victory over France to warrant a place in the final World Cup squad?
"I think he had a great game. I'm sure there is plenty more to come from him, but it was certainly exciting to see him in an England shirt and imposing himself on that stage. He has been a tremendous guy to have around; a real influence and someone I can count as my friend. I think he has got a big chance of being involved."
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