Italy hooker ruled out of World Cup

By AFP

Sunday 24 Sep 2023

SQUAD UPDATE: Italy hooker Luca Bigi has been ruled out of the rest of the World Cup with an injury to the adductor muscle in his right leg, the Italian federation announced Sunday.

Bigi, 32 and capped 47 times, did not play in Italy’s first two matches.

He was replaced in the squad on Sunday by twice-capped Zebre teammate Marco Manfredi, 26.

Italy coach Kieran Crowley relied on hookers Giacomo Nicotera and Epalahame Faiva in the wins over Namibia (52-8) and Uruguay (38-17).

The Azzurri are second in Pool A, three points behind France. They play New Zealand on September 29 and France on October 6, both in Lyon.

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