Italy hit by Sergio Parisse ban
SERGIO PARISSE has been ruled out of the Six Nations after being suspended for 30 days following his sending-off in a club match.
He has been their best player for the past 10 years.
The Italy captain, who was dismissed for abusing referee Laurent Cardona in the Top 14 match between Stade Francais and Begles-Bordeaux, is banned until March 18.
It means Italy will have to cope without their most influential player for the remaining games against Wales, England and Ireland.
“He has been their best player for the past 10 years,” said Wales fly-half Dan Biggar, whose side take on Italy on Saturday. “No disrespect to the guy coming in, but it’s an advantage to us.”
Italy will name their starting team today, with Alessandro Zanni set to move across the back row from flanker to No8 to cover for Parisse.
Zanni said: “He’s head and shoulders above everybody, even when he challenges us on the PlayStation.”