Castello joins Italy injury list

Milan - Italy international Tommaso Castello has undergone surgery on a broken leg after a bruising Six Nations campaign for the Azzurri, the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) said on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old Zebre centre also suffered an ankle sprain in Italy's 57-14 thrashing by England at Twickenham ten days ago.

"During the operation the fracture of the right fibula was stabilised with a plate with nine screws," FIR said in a statement.

Castello - capped 17 times by Italy - will rest for 40 days before beginning rehab in the swimming pool.

Italy have also been hit by Leonardo Ghiraldini suffering ruptured cruciate knee ligaments in last weekend's 25-14 loss to France.

Toulouse hooker Ghiraldini, 34, capped 104 times, could be out for six months, with his participation in the World Cup in Japan from September 20 to November 2 in doubt.

Italy lost all their Six Nations matches, earning a fourth consecutive wooden spoon.