Italy lose key player ahead of Ireland clash
INJURY UPDATE: Italy will take on Ireland on Sunday in the Six Nations without one of their most influential players.
Italy revealed that Sebastian Negri has been ruled out of the match with a rib injury.
In an official medical report released on Monday, Italy stated that the 53-cap flank suffered a rib contusion against England in their opening match of the Championship in Rome.
Fortunately, the report revealed that he sustained no rib fractures.
However, the instrumental flank will miss the challenging Test against Ireland.
The prospect of going to Dublin to face an Ireland side who had just swept aside France in Marseille was already tough for the Azzurri, now they have to do it without a vital member of the pack.
The blindside made twelve carries in the 24-27 loss at the Stadio Olimpico.
Italy will hope that Negri will be back to face France in Lille in round three.
He has returned to his club Benetton to rehab the injury.
