Sergio Parisse: Italy legend on retirement, Challenge Cup final with Toulon and Rugby World Cup acceptance

James While
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Sergio Parisse

With a thrilling weekend in European rugby ahead of us, many eyes are on Saturday’s final where La Rochelle meet Leinster in a rematch of the 2022 clash.

However, whilst it might be the support act on the billing, a monumental event takes place in the Challenge Cup as Sergio Parisse, one of the greatest entertainers to pull on a rugby shirt, looks to bow out as a champion as his Toulon side meets Glasgow Warriors.

For many rugby watchers it’s the end of an era – an era in which the sublime skillset of the towering back-row has thrilled every spectator who has ever seen him. For many he’s in the debate as the greatest number eight in history and one of the most gifted talents rugby has ever witnessed, but whatever your view is there’s no doubt that Parisse‘s impending retirement will leave a void of pure entertainment and tactical unpredictability that might never be seen quite like this again in the modern game.

Planet Rugby’s James While caught up with Parisse from his home in Toulon to discuss the match ahead and the Italian superstar’s longevity.

Retirement beckons

“I cannot believe I am approaching 40 and still in a position where I can enjoy playing,” Parisse said.

“My goal this week is not to overthink this but I am very aware I probably I have two more games with a Top 14 weekend after the final and then and then it’s gone – bang! My career is over.

“I want to enjoy it as much as I can – remember those sights, sounds and smells of a packed Dublin and take those with me. You know, to play as a 39-year-old in a European final is massive and I never ever expected my career to be continuing at this age.

“I tell you, when you are 19 years old you have your dreams ahead of you – you have a job as a professional player and retirement is beyond your thoughts. When you arrive at 32-33 years old as a player. You start thinking I’m nearly to the end of my career – maybe you’re thinking I’ll get to 34 or 35 maximum and then stop – but to get 39 nearly 40 is such a bonus. I am so pleased my body has allowed me to do this and my motivation is purely to help Toulon, a club that have kept faith in me until now, finish with silverware.

“I am just so happy to be in this position and I am very proud about the journey I have made in the sport. I wouldn’t change much at all,” said the Italian icon.

Glasgow challenge

“A lot of the words in the build-up have already been about Toulon, but the challenge Franco Smith’s Glasgow Warriors present to us is absolutely significant.

“I know Franco well – he was with me as a player when I started in 22 years ago at Benetton and I am well aware of what a great rugby mind he has. He is a really smart guy and his attention to detail as a coach will mean Glasgow will be brilliantly prepared. His team was outstanding in the semi final against the Scarlets and showed just how strong the URC is but equally just how well Franco prepares his teams.

“In any final there’s a lot of pressure for both teams, but definitely for us the fact is we have learned to just be ourselves. We know that we have the strength of our set-piece and our power game but it’s absolutely key that we manage where the energy is best used and really focus on maintaining our discipline as well, especially with the amount of cards we’re now seeing in the modern game,” Parisse explained.

Key leaders

“Our leadership is key in this respect and we are lucky to have two Test captains, both world class players, in our side in Charles Ollivon and Dan Biggar, key and contrasting voices in our forwards and backs respectively.

“Dan has been amazing since joining us, a really loud and commanding voice on the field of play. He has moved in about 200m from my home here in Toulon and is now my neighbour so we see a lot of each other. It’s testimony to his professionalism and focus that he’s already semi-fluent in French, speaking the language better than some overseas players who’ve been here for four years.

“He is very clear on what he needs from his players around him and he communicates exactly what the plan is, key considerations for a fly-half. You hear his voice all the time and crucially he has so much passion in the way he plays and how he drives us forward. Above all, he gets us playing in the right areas of the pitch and manages the game brilliantly.

“Charles is completely different in the way he speaks. He is a massive presence on the pitch, a true athlete and one of the finest flankers in the world.

“He is such a great guy and he brings a tonne of different types of leadership. You know, it’s not the guy who like to talk a lot to have big speeches – he speaks quietly but with immense focus and inspires a lot of confidence to others.

“He is a man that wants to always leading by example, a guy who physically very dominant, a lineout king and always around the tackle and contact area. On a personal level I love playing with both he and Cornell du Preez as a back-row unit. I believe we have a great skill balance and Cornell’s work-rate around the floor and around the gainline with Charles’ skills in defence, support handling and set piece gives me the chance to do different things at the back of the scrum and to express my natural game,” Parisse explained.

Motivations

In the last month, Parisse lost his father, Sergio senior, a former Italian international and a greatly respected figure in the game. Whilst not commenting previously on his tragic loss, the Toulon number eight now feels at peace with his bereavement and admits that his Dad was one of the most inspirational figures in his career.

“I don’t talk often about my private life but it’s absolutely true he was huge in terms of support and inspiration to me. He will of course be at the forefront of my mind on Friday night. In all of my 22 year professional career he never gave me any compliments however well I played! He would say ‘why are we talking about this pass or kick when you made so many mistakes?!’ He’d point out the missed tackles here and there, or where I got turned over and I loved that – it kept me honest.

“Above all, he told me never be mediocre – he said be yourself, express yourself. ‘Don’t accept mediocrity – try to push your limits every time and try to be better every time’, was his message to me. Those are the words I will remember when I play on Friday and if I finish with a trophy, I know of course my father will be looking on proudly.”

The Italian Job

With Parisse rather surprisingly looking unlikely to feature in Kieran Crowley’s Italian plans for the 2023 Rugby World Cup given his form and fitness, many might think that he will be playing to remind the Azzurri coach of the talents he could bring in a last dance on the international stage, but the former Italy skipper doesn’t see it quite that way.

“Look there is no message to send to Kieran,” Parisse said.

“He knows I have been available for the last two years, he knows what I can bring and if it happens, it happens. I cannot control what happens off the pitch and I don’t need to force things – I am resigned to the fact my name won’t be in the squad list. I am really grateful for the career I have had and if he believes I am not the guy to bring in for whatever reason, then so be it.”

Many in the game would love to see Parisse in the blue shirt for one last time in a record-breaking sixth Rugby World Cup. But for now those dreams are nothing more than hopes. The focus has to be Friday in the Challenge Cup final, a chance for the 39-year-old to bow out as a champion and with some style.

“Basically I feel like I can go in and play this final without any inhibition and without any distraction of thought. I am sure there will be a moment or two of emotion whether we win or lose, but the one thing I know is that I am so proud of my journey and how I have been able to share it with the wonderful fans of this great sport.

“It’s been quite incredible and I thank everyone for that,” Parisse concluded.

Whatever team you support, whether you are in the Aviva Stadium in Dublin or at home watching on TV, make the most of his last 80 minutes and raise your voices and your glasses as Sergio Parisse leaves the pitch for it’s without question that he left the number eight shirts of the world in a better place than where he found them almost a quarter of a century ago.

Rugby is blessed for 22 years of thrills and brilliance from the 142-time capped number eight and it is without question that the game will be so much poorer for the retirement of one of its finest entertainers.

READ MORE: Rugby World Cup: Paolo Odogwu and Dino Lamb named in 46-man Italy training squad

Challenge Cup Sergio Parisse

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