Sergio Parisse Returns To Italy Side To Face Ireland

Italy captain Sergio Parisse returns to training on Tuesday ahead of the Azzuri’s clash against Ireland on Sunday, which the number eight aims to be fit for.

Italy have named their side to play Ireland at the Olympic Stadium in London on Sunday, and have been given a major boost as captain Sergio Parisse has been given the green light to play.

There are 13 players in Italy’s match-day 23 that were involved that day, and five of those are in the starting pack – tighthead Lorenzo Cittadini, and lock pair Quintin Geldenhuys and Josh Furno, joining Parisse and Favaro.

“We need him to run the show for us against Ireland, and we all know he’s fully capable”.

Parisse comes into the team for Samuela Vunisa and takes captaincy duties back from Leonardo Ghiraldini, who misses the match with a thigh muscle injury.

Ireland are fully versed in Parisse’s all-encompassing threat, Joe Schmidt’s men expecting a sizeable shift in the Italian challenge thanks to the 32-year-old’s mere presence.

“He is a fantastic player there’s no doubt about it, one of the world’s best number eights”.

Replacements: 16-Davide Giazzon, 17-Michele Rizzo, 18-Dario Chistolini, 19-Alessandro Zanni, 20-Mauro Bergamasco, 21-Guglielmo Palazzani, 22-Carlo Canna, 23-Tommaso Benvenuti.