England's history boy Alex Corbisiero is not part of the X-box generation, preferring his degree studies on the unification of Italy to computer games.

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 Six 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."