The Italian international of the RCT does not close the door to a return in the jersey of Italy to compete in the World Cup in France next year.
This Friday at a press conference for his club, RC Toulon, the Italian legend caused a sensation. At 39 years old and 142 selections, the monument of Italian rugby has indeed not ruled out playing the 2023 World Cup in France.
Three years after missing his international farewell against the All Blacks, during the 2019 World Cup in Japan, due to a typhoon (named Hagibis, he had led to the cancellation of the meeting), Sergio Parisse dreams in any case of put on the Squadra Azzurra shirt again.
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«I am in contact with the coach of the Italy team and the president of the Italian Rugby Federation. For these November test matches, I don’t think there were the best conditions for me to participate. There is a World Cup approaching and it is important for the coach to take advantage of this international window in November to try out and see certain players. (…) But for the 6 Nations Tournament, if the conditions are met to participate, I will be available. I did not say no to the national team. The Italy team is always in my head and in my mind.»
“I’m not in the position to say that I’m not going to play the World Cup with Italy…”
To the point of ambitioning to play the World Cup in France in ten months? “I never set myself any barriers or limits. Today, in my personal case, it is very complicated to project myself so far. Currently, I am not in the situation to say: I will be ready and I will play for this deadline. But I’m not in a position to say that I’m not going to play the World Cup with Italy either.“Said Sergio Parisse, leaving the door more than ajar.
If he were selected for France 2023, the third row at the five World Cups (2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019) would enter the pantheon of world rugby by becoming the only one to play in six Rugby World Cups. Twenty years after its premiere. And at 40…