Bergamasco out for five months

A badly fractured kneecap suffered in the narrow defeat to Australia will keep Italy and Racing Metro wing Mirco Bergamasco out of action for up to five months the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) said on Sunday.

Bergamasco went down early in the second half of the 19-22 defeat to the Wallabies in a Test match at Florence Saturday amid fears of a rupture, but medics confirmed Sunday the problem was a fracture.

"Medical exams revealed no ligament injury, and the surgery was a complete success," the FIR said.

Bergamasco went to ground with a group of players and almost immediately lifted his arm to signal an injury. He was given treatment for several minutes before leaving the pitch on a stretcher.

Prop Andrea Lo Cicero, meanwhile, left the field in the first half having suffered a blow to his throat and fractures to two ribs. The FIR said that Cicero could be out for several weeks too.

AFP