Share

Italy's Parisse gets nod for 5th Rugby World Cup

Tokyo - Italy's Sergio Parisse will play a record-equalling fifth Rugby World Cup after being named on Friday in the team to face Namibia in their Pool B opener.

The 36-year-old number eight joins his fellow Italian Mauro Bergamasco and Samoa's Brian Lima as just the third player to take part in five editions of the rugby showcase.

Parisse will also earn his 141st Test cap, putting him joint second on the all-time list alongside Ireland's Brian O'Driscoll and just seven shy of Richie McCaw's record of 148.

Coach Conor O'Shea made nine changes to the team that was walloped 37-0 by England in their final World Cup warm-up for the game in Hanazono on Sunday.

The Six Nations side have their work cut out if they want to reach the quarter-finals for the first time, with New Zealand and South Africa heavy favourites to qualify from Pool B.

Teams:

Namibia

15 Johan Tromp, 14 Chad Plato, 13 Justin Newman, 12 Darryl De La Harpe, 11 JC Greyling, 10 Cliven Loubser, 9 Damian Stevens, 8 Janco Venter, 7 Wian Conradie, 6 Rohan Kitshoff, 5 Tjiuee Uanivi (captain), 4 PJ Van Lill, 3 Johannes Coetzee, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Andre Rademeyer

Substitutes: 16 Louis van der Westhuizen, 17 AJ De Klerk, 18 Nelius Theron, 19 Johan Retief, 20 Max Katjijeko, 21 Eugene Jantjies, 22 Helarius Axasman Kisting, 23 Lesley Klim

Italy

15 Jayden Hayward, 14 Mattia Bellini, 13 Tommaso Benvenuti, 12 Luca Morisi, 11 Edoardo Padovani, 10 Tommaso Allan, 9 Tito Tebaldi, 8 Sergio Parisse (captain), 7 Maxime Mbanda, 6 Braam Steyn, 5 Federico Ruzza, 4 Alessandro Zanni, 3 Tiziano Pasquali, 2 Luca Bigi, 1 Nicola Quaglio

Substitutes: 16 Oliviero Fabiani, 17 Simone Ferrari, 18 Marco Riccioni, 19 Dean Budd, 20 Jake Polledri, 21 Guglielmo Palazzani, 22 Carlo Canna, 23 Matteo Minozzi

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should the Proteas pick Faf du Plessis for the T20 World Cup in West Indies and the United States in June?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Faf still has a lot to give ...
67% - 904 votes
No! It's time to move on ...
33% - 439 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE