ITALY AND WALES are continuing to count the cost of Saturday’s bruising encounter in Cardiff.
The Welsh lost both Rhys Webb and Leigh Halfpenny for the World Cup with serious injuries, while Sergio Parisse had to have fluid drained from his left leg to heal a bad bruise, which leaves him a doubt for the tournament opener against France in 10 days.
And it’s now been confirmed that Italy’s 24-year-old centre Luca Morisi is the latest player to be ruled out of the competition, after it emerged that he tore a ligament in his knee during the 23-19 defeat to Wales.
The Treviso centre made his debut for the national team in 2012 and has earned 16 caps to date, but in the last 12 months he has established himself as a key player in Jacques Brunel’s midfield, scoring two exceptional tries against England during this year’s Six Nations.
Another centre, Gonzalo Garcia, also picked up a knock during Saturday’s game, but he will complete his recovery during the tournament.
Italy face Ireland in their third game in Pool D on October 4 in the Olympic Stadium in London, while they face France in their opening game of the tournament in 10 days time.
