Broken arm for Italy's Botes

South African born halfback Tobias Botes suffered a broken arm in Saturday's 13-6 win over Scotland at the Stadio Olimpico.

The 26-year-old was forced off just a few minutes after coming on as a substitute and was later diagnosed with the fracture.

Centre Gonzalo Canale was also forced off injured and suffered a suspected broken wrist.

Popular Leicester Tigers prop Martin Castrogiovanni later revealed that he was not fully recovered from the broken rib he suffered a month ago against England but played through pain in order to take his place in the pack.

"I suffered a lot but I did everything to play this game, I really wanted to play," said the man known simply as 'Castro'.

"I thank the medical staff who allowed me to take to the field."

He started the game with a protective strapping but removed it during the first period.

"I took it off because it was annoying me, but I didn't want to come off," he said. "And I also wanted to show our opponents that we have balls."

AFP