He's in a group with South Africa and New Zealand, so he won't be at the World Cup for long

Toulon’s owner has joked that the Rugby World Cup won’t delay Parisse’s arrival at Toulon, given Italy are in a group with South Africa and New Zealand.

Speaking at the announcement press conference, the club owner and Parisse were all smiles as they discussed his arrival date for pre-season.

Boudjellal, the enigmatic owner of Toulon, was asked by a journalist if he was concerned about Parisse’s potential late arrival in a World Cup year.

‘No, he’s in a group with South Africa and New Zealand, so he should arrive at the same time as our French guys’

Imagine tu signes dans ton nouveau club et ton president te sort ça en toute décontraction 😂😂 exceptionnel t’es le king @mouradrct 😭 pic.twitter.com/qhsHFptt2j

— ⱠɄCHØ (@LuchoLeSancho) July 1, 2019

Italian legend Sergio Parisse has shared the first images of himself in his new kit after his one-year deal with Toulon was confirmed today. 

It was announced last week that Parisse would be leaving Stade Francais after 15 years with the club, and the three-time European giants have been the first to snap up the hugely popular number eight. 

The 35-year-old shared a photo on Instagram of him wearing the red shirt that he will don in the South of France after the World Cup this year. 

During his 15 years in the French capital, Parisse won two Top 14 titles and played over 250 games for the club, but his relationship turned sour with coach Heyneke Meyer and owner Hans-Pieter Wild towards the end of last season.

Despite only playing 11 league games during the last campaign, Parisse is still a huge name to arrive at Toulon, and joins an increasingly impressive contingent of Eben Etzebeth, Nehe Milner-Skudder and Baptiste Serin who will play at the Stade Mayol next season. After a disappointing season past, it is likely that Toulon will be at the top end of the league come June 2020. 

While Parisse is certainly not a youthful signing, he surely has at least one good season in him on the Mediterranean coast. 

His exploits with his country have garnered him a legendary status as he has gone on to earn 138 caps. He is powerful, has great hands, is good under the high ball and has even been known to score the odd drop goal. He is a complete rugby player and has consistently been one of the world’s best players for years. 

If he could bring any of the experience that he has amassed with Italy and Stade Francais over the past 15 years to Toulon, it may prove to be a wonderful acquisition.