Italy call on new hooker Sbaraglini

Italy have called up hooker Franco Sbaraglini to replace Tommaso D’Apice, who was forced to return to Italy with a knee injury.

D’Apice learned on Thursday he had injured ligaments in his left knee during the 53-17 win over Russia and would be sidelined for 21 days. 

It meant he would miss Italy’s matches against USA on 27 September and Ireland on 2 October.

Italy needed the World Cup medical staff to verify D’Apice’s injury before they officially called Sbaraglini up as a replacement. 

The 28-year-old Sbaraglini plays for Treviso in the Italy and has won five caps for the national team. His most recent appearance was in June 2010 in the 55-11 loss to South Africa in East London.

RNS