Blow for Italy as Costanzo forced out of Ireland clash

ITALY’S Salvatore Costanzo could miss the entire RBS 6 Nations tournament with a back injury.

Costanzo has definitely been ruled out of Italy's opening game against Ireland on Sunday after hurting himself during training on Tuesday.

But Azzurri team manager Marco Bollesan is hoping the Benetton Treviso prop makes a speedy recovery.

Bollesan said: "Certainly I'm always sorry to see a player get injured especially ahead of the RBS 6 Nations.

"I hope he will miss just 20-25 days, which is what the medical report said at first, but we have to wait and see.

"I'm sure he will be back in form and we believe he will be back better than ever. Like the entire Italian federation, (coach) John Kirwan has a lot of faith in Costanzo."

Kirwan is hoping New Zealand-born fly-half Paul Griffen's thigh injury clears up ahead of Sunday's game.

And he has also called up Mario Savi and Pietro Travagli, who will join the national team in training.

Bollesan added: "For the Ireland game, we will miss a few players but we are trying to send the best team on the pitch."

Meanwhile, Wales coach Mike Ruddock yesterday applauded England's selection of teenage sensation Mathew Tait for their RBS 6 Nations Championship clash in Cardiff.

Newcastle centre Tait, 19 next Sunday, will become England's youngest international debutant since his Falcons colleague Jonny Wilkinson in 1998 when he runs out at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

England boss Andy Robinson might have seen his midfield options restricted by injuries to World Cup-winners Mike Tindall, Will Greenwood and Stuart Abbott a scenario that undoubtedly speeded up Tait's elevation.

But Ruddock believes it is a quality move from Robinson, who has admitted that Tait's age never entered his thinking when picking the team.

"We have been aware for some time that they (England) were looking to head down that route," said Ruddock.

"I applaud Andy Robinson's selection there. I have got a lot of time for (Rugby Football Union national academy manager) Brian Ashton's judgement, having worked with him, and we've already seen this lad in Europe this season.

"He produced two very good performances for Newcastle against the Newport Gwent Dragons in particular.

"He's obviously a great young player for the future and I think it is a great selection by England because it shows they are very positive about the young players, they are working well with their academy group and they are building for the future.

"There is no fear, if you like, in their selection and I believe it is an excellent selection by England."

Tait and his England centre partner, Newcastle team-mate Jamie Noon, will be part of an England team seeking an 11th championship victory over Wales from the last 12 starts a record which shows four successive wins on Welsh soil.