Parisse's Italy return put on hold

NEWS: Italy's most capped player Sergio Parisse will miss their two opening matches of this year's Six Nations as he recovers from a wrist issue, head coach Kieran Crowley said.

In December, former captain Parisse, 38, said he was ready for a Test return after last playing for his country at the 2019 World Cup, when his 'farewell' match against New Zealand was wiped out by a typhoon.

The Toulon No. 8 last featured for his club in early December due to the injury and they have had three games postponed owing to COVID-19 cases.

The Azzurri start their campaign in France on February 6 before hosting England the following weekend.

They travel to Ireland on February 27 before finishing their tournament by hosting Scotland and heading to Wales.

"He hasn't played the last three-four weeks due to the COVID-19 situation," Crowley told reporters.

"We discussed and agreed that plan would be that he'll play with his club, they have four matches in the next weeks.

"Then we'll reconsider a call-up for the Ireland match or for the two others. He needs to rediscover some confidence after such a long time without playing," he added.

Parisse is set to feature for Toulon on Saturday as they head to Worcester Warriors in the European Challenge Cup.

Italy squad:

Backs: Pierre Bruno, Monty Ioane, Tommaso Menoncello, Federico Mori, Edoardo Padovani; Juan Ignacio Brex, Luca Morisi, Marco Zanon; Giacomo Da Re, Paolo Garbisi, Leonardo Marin; Callum Braley, Alessandro Fusco, Stephen Varney

Forwards: Toa Halafihi, Michele Lamaro (captain), Sebastian Negri, Giovanni Pettinelli, Braam Steyn, Manuel Zuliani; Niccolo Cannone, Marco Fuser, Federico Ruzza, David Sisi; Pietro Ceccarelli, Danilo Fischetti, Ivan Nemer, Tiziano Pasquali, Cherif Traore, Giosue Zilocchi; Epalahame Faiva, Gianmarco Lucchesi, Giacomo Nicotera