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Italy confirm fears over Parisse

By Online Editors
Ball-carrying talisman Sergio Parisse won't face Ireland in Rome (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Italy’s hopes of ending their barren 19-match Six Nations run without a win have been dealt a massive blow five days before their round three clash with Ireland in Rome as skipper Sergio Parisse has been ruled out through concussion.

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Parisse was one of three players in Conor O’Shea’s squad who had to play for their non-Italian clubs last weekend, and a concussive blow suffered during his 19 minutes off the bench for Stade Francais in their Saturday evening match at home to Lyon has now put him out of action with Italy.

The Italian skipper was at the second stage of his return to play protocol when he suffered the setback that rules him out of contention to face the Irish. 

Parisse’s influence won’t be completely lost to Italy as he will stay on with O’Shea’s squad and continue his rehabilitation in Rome. However, his inability to take part in the match is a serious blow after he led the team earlier this month in their matches against Scotland and Wales.  

A Tuesday lunchtime Italian rugby federation press release reported: “Sergio Parisse, captain and No8 of the national team, will not be available for the third day of the Guinness Six Nations 2019 on Sunday, February 24, in Rome against Ireland. 

“After undergoing the second phase of neurological investigations following the suspected concussive trauma reported in the Top 14 match with Stade Francais, he will continue the return path required by the current international regulations.”

The veteran 35-year-old forward, who has won 136 caps since making his Italian debut in 2002, has continued to be his country’s talisman since O’Shea took charge for the 2016 summer tour.

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This year is set to be Parisse’s last in the Italian blue as he is expected to retire from Test rugby at the end of the World Cup in Japan.

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Bull Shark 2 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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