Major blow for Italy as Edoardo Todaro suffers serious injury in camp

Italy’s Six Nations preparations have been dealt a significant blow after Edoardo Todaro suffered a serious knee injury during a pre-tournament training camp in Verona.

The Northampton Saints back is understood to have damaged his cruciate ligament in training, an injury that is expected to rule him out of the remainder of the Guinness Six Nations and potentially end his season.

A statement with official confirmation from the Italian Rugby Federation said: “During the training camp in Verona, Edoardo Todaro suffered a knee injury. Diagnostic tests revealed a torn right anterior cruciate ligament.

“The player will return to his club where he will continue his recovery and rehabilitation process, supported by the Northampton medical staff in collaboration with the men’s national team medical staff.”

Italy were in their final day of their pre-2026 Guinness Six Nations training camp in Verona with a combined programme alongside Italy under-20s in what was described as a ‘very intense’ camp.

The in-form Todaro had been pushing hard for involvement in Gonzalo Quesada’s matchday plans and is regarded as one of the most promising young backs in the Italian system.

The injury is also a bitter setback for Phil Dowson’s Northampton Saints, with Todaro having impressed since breaking into the senior environment.

The 19-year-old has scored 10 tries in just 13 appearances this season.

The incident occurred during Italy’s camp in Verona, just eight days before the Azzurri’s opening round of the Guinness Six Nations championship against Scotland at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

The morning featured gym and skills sessions with shared methodologies, followed by an afternoon collective field session at the Payanini Center. There was no mention of Todaro in Gonzalo Quesada’s Friday missive from camp.

“We closed a very intense meeting in Verona. Already in November – before the Nations Series – we chose to start training here and it was important for us to start the journey towards the Guinness Six Nations in a structure like the Payanini Center that gives us the opportunity to prepare ourselves in the best possible way for the events that await us on the field.

“The day spent together with the U20 national team has a great 360-degree value: it was a moment of great mutual exchange of information. We have had the opportunity to have a broader view of the players available and, as well as on the present, working with the Azzurrini staff gives us the opportunity to have a look at the future prospects of Italian rugby. There is a constant dialogue with Andrea Di Giandomenico aimed at achieving medium-long term goals and growing together,” said Quesada on Friday.