Italy lose a key player

INJURY UPDATE: Italy flyhalf Tommaso Allan has been ruled out of Saturday’s Six Nations game against Ireland in Rome, the Italian rugby federation (FIR) confirmed on Tuesday.

Allan, 27, took a knock to his ribs playing for club side Treviso in a Pro 14 defeat last Saturday by Welsh side Scarlets, going off in the first half after scoring an early penalty.

“[Allan] will not be available for international commitments over the weekend and will return to his home club to continue his recovery,” the FIR said, but did confirm Allan had not suffered any factures.

Allan, who has 61 caps for Italy, scored a try and made a conversion in their 18-41 defeat by England last time out after the team also lost 10-50 to France in Rome.

The Azzurri host Andy Farrell’s Ireland in their third match looking to avoid a record-extending 30th consecutive defeat in the tournament.