Sergio Parisse: Legendary Italy number eight closes the door on a return
Italy’s most talismanic player of the professional era, Sergio Parisse, has refused an offer to return to the national team for the Six Nations finale.
Parisse announced the decision at a press conference on Thursday, explaining that he was needed at Toulon, who are facing a fight against relegation from the Top 14.
He had been denied a farewell from the Azzurri colours first by a typhoon at the 2019 World Cup, then the pandemic in 2020 and then by injury, but he was not named in the initial squad for this Six Nations. But he revealed that an offer had been made for him to return and play a farewell, upon which he decided to concentrate on club rugby.
Club comes first
“I planned to play a match with the Squadra during this Six Nations Tournament,” he said.
“But I had not taken into account, two or three months ago, that Toulon was going to have matches to play during the Six Nations.
“I also didn’t expect the club to be in this situation in the standings. Since I arrived, I have always said that my priority is the RCT. Italy is a plus. I want to help the club get out of this precarious moment.
“Everything was done in agreement with the coach and the Italian Federation. They were a bit disappointed. I, too, am disappointed. In life, you have to make choices, and this was the most consistent choice.”
READ MORE: Ireland prop Andrew Porter ruled out of tournament with ankle injury
