A tale of two rugby superstars: Sergio Parisse and James Ryan

Sergio Parisse has nothing much to show for 16 years of international rugby beyond a global admiration for his gallantry in the face of overwhelming odds.

The Italian who could lay justifiable claim to having been the best No.8 of his generation has a fair few wooden spoons, enough to keep the home fires burning but then they come with the territory, a bit like George Best when he played for the North, only worse.