Sergio Parisse has confirmed that he is available and keen to play for Italy in the forthcoming Six Nations.
The 38-year-old former Azzurri captain won the most recent of his 142 caps at the 2019 World Cup but says he hopes to be selected by new head coach Kieran Crowley for a campaign which opens with a trip to face France in Paris on February 6. Italy host England in Rome the following week.
Parisse, who plays his club rugby for Toulon in the Top 14, was meant to finish up at the World Cup, only for Italy’s final pool match against New Zealand to be called off because of a typhoon. He was then due to run out for a final farewell against England in the 2020 Six Nations, but that match was delayed by seven months due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The iconic No 8 was ruled out of the recent autumn internationals by a broken wrist, but returned to the Toulon line-up earlier this month and, having previously said he will retire from all forms of rugby at the end of the season, has opened up on his bid for one last hurrah in the national shirt.
“My intention was to come back for Italy in 2021, but it went a different way because of things which are bigger than rugby,” Parisse told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “But I have never made a secret of my desire to pull on the blue jersey again, provided I am in the right condition.
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“Have I spoken to Crowley? Yes, but everything still needs to be decided in more detail.”
Speaking to Corriere dello Sport, Parisse was more explicit, stating: “My availability is total. I hope to play, if they involve me.”
The veteran is one of the faces of a marketing campaign launched by the Italian federation around the home games against England and Scotland (Gregor Townsend’s team are due at the Stadio Olimpico on March 12).
Meanwhile, Italy aim to broaden their player base by targeting qualified players in other countries via a network of scouts. Four positions are to be created in London, Argentina, Australia and South Africa to identify eligible players aged between 18 and 23.
The Italian national team have not won a Six Nations match since 2015.
