ITALIAN CAPTAIN SERGIO Parisse has emerged as a doubt for the World Cup opener against France in 10 days, after having an operation to drain fluid from his leg.
Parisse suffered a badly bruised left leg during Saturday’s narrow defeat to Wales in Cardiff, before undergoing the procedure in Paris on Monday.
The Stade Francais number eight posted a picture of his bandaged left leg in hospital yesterday, with the caption translating to:
“Operation gone … I hope to return as soon as possible! Will not budge!”
While Parisse is not expected to be a doubt for the tournament, he is in a race against time to be fit to face France at Twickenham in Italy’s opener on September 19.
A statement from the FIR says they have not established a definite return date for their influential captain.
“In the coming days we will broadcast updates on the recovery time of the player,” a statement read.
Italy’s preparations for the tournament have not been good, losing outhalf Kelly Haimona to an arm injury earlier in the summer, and losing all three of their warm-up games, with the 48-7 hammering against Scotland at Murrayfield the low-point.
After facing France in the opener, Jacques Brunel’s side face Canada, Ireland on October 4, before completing their pool stage against Romania.
