Huge Parisse blow for Italy

Italy skipper Sergio Parisse faces up to six months on the sidelines after tearing his cruciate knee ligament in training.

Talismanic skipper set to miss Six Nations with knee injury

Italy have been dealt a major blow with the news that skipper Sergio Parisse could be out of action for up to six months after tearing his cruciate knee ligament in training. The injury, confirmed in a statement by the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR), means the Stade Francais back-rower is almost certain to miss the entirety of the forthcoming RBS 6 Nations Championship. Parisse had originally been named in Italy's team to face Samoa on Saturday, but now looks likely to undergo surgery to repair the damage to his right knee. "The clinical and instrumental exams showed an instability in the front of the knee which will be re-evaluated in the coming days," explained Italy team doctor Roberto Pozzoni. "At the moment we're not ruling out the possibility of surgical intervention with a recuperation period of between 120 and 180 days." Parisse's absence against Samoa means that Italy boss Nick Mallett has drafted in Josh Sole at flanker with Alessandro Zanni moving to number eight. Italy are looking to end a run of defeats that stretches back 13 games when they take to the field in Ascoli at the weekend. The Azzurri last won an international against Argentina in June 2008 and will be hopeful of ending that drought against the Samoans. Flanker Mauro Bergamasco, centre Gonzalo Canale, scrum-half Tito Tebaldi and winger Kaine Robertson have all been restored to Mallett's starting XV having missed out in the 32-10 defeat to South Africa last week. There is also a change in the front row where Leonardo Ghiraldini takes over from Fabio Ongaro at hooker between props Martin Castrogiovanni and Salvatore Perugini. Meanwhile, ex-Australia rugby league captain Craig Gower is given another chance to continue his rugby union education following mixed performances against New Zealand and South Africa. Gower will again start in the number ten shirt, but will be looking for a more composed display with the boot after failing to impress with his kicking both from hand and at goal against the Springboks in Udine last time out. Italy Team: 15 Luke McLean, 14 Kaine Robertson, 13 Gonzalo Canale, 12 Gonzalo Garcia, 11 Mirco Bergamasco, 10 Craig Gower, 9 Tito Tebaldi; 8 Alessandro Zanni, 7 Mauro Bergamasco, 6 Josh Sole, 5 Quintin Geldenhuys, 4 Carlo Antonio Del Fava, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1 Salvatore Perugini
Replacements: 16 Fabio Ongaro, 17 Ignacio Rouyet, 18 Josh Sole, 19 Simone Favaro, 20 Simon Picone, 21 Riccardo Bocchino, 22 Alberto Sgarbi