Parisse remains a doubt
Italy captain Sergio Parisse remains a doubt for their Six Nations finale against Wales this Saturday, when experienced Toulon prop Martin Castrogiovanni will be among several reinforcements to the injury-hit Azzurri squad.
Parisse came off late in this past Sunday's 29-0 rout by France in Rome, in which Castrogiovanni played no part, with suspected ligament damage in his right foot.
After undergoing tests on Monday, the Stade Francais back row forward initially said his injury was less severe than first feared.
"Thanks for the messages, injury less serious than first thought. Objective: to recover as soon as possible," Parisse said on Twitter.
But after undergoing scans, which revealed damage to his big toe, Italy team chiefs remained cautious.
"He will be re-evaluated in the coming days to see if he is fit enough for Saturday's game against Wales," said a statement from the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR).
Losing Parisse for the final game of what has been a largely disappointing campaign would prove a huge blow, although the Azzurri should be buoyed by the return of Castrogiovanni after he was left out of Italy's clash against France.
Castrogiovanni was among Jacques Brunel's squad announced on Monday, alongside Leicester's Michele Rizzo and Gonzalo Garcia.
Italy confirmed Matias Aguero and fly-half Tommaso Allan, who limped off at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday, are out of the Wales game with hamstring and rib injuries respectively on Sunday.
Allan was diagnosed with a "grade two hamstring tear", while prop Aguero suffered "cartilage damage" to his ribs. Both have left Italy's training camp.
Italy sit second from bottom of the Six Nations table on two points, but could end up with the wooden spoon for the second successive year if Scotland, beaten by the Italians in Edinburgh, account for Ireland at Murrayfield.
Italy squad:
Forwards: Martin Castrogiovanni, Dario Chistolini, Lorenzo Cittadini, Alberto De Marchi, Michele Rizzo, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Andrea Manici, George Biagi, Joshua Furno, Marco Fuser, Quintin Geldenhuys, Robert Barbieri, Marco Barbini, Mauro Bergamasco, Francesco Minto, Sergio Parisse, Samuela Vunisa.
Backs: Edoardo Gori, Guglielmo Palazzani, Marcello Violi, Kelly Haimona, Luciano Orquera, Enrico Bacchin, Andrea Masi, Luke McLean, Luca Morisi, Gonzalo Garcia, Simone Ragusi, Leonardo Sarto, Giovambattista Venditti, Michele Visentin.
Date: Saturday, march 21
Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Kick-off: 13.30 (12.30 GMT; 12.30 UK time)
Referee: TBC
Agence France-Presse
