Sergio Parisse to pass two fitness tests ahead of Ireland clash

By Brendan O’Brien,

Italy captain Sergio Parisse is expected to train with the squad tomorrow ahead of the Azzurri’s Pool D game against Ireland this Sunday.

Word earlier had suggested that the captain, recovering from a haemotoma in his calf which prompted him to miss the France and Canada games, would not return to the paddock until tomorrow at the earliest.

However, team doctor Vincenzo Ieracitano said the skipper, who has not trained in three weeks and who joined the squad from France yesterday, would train before undergoing a fitness test in the gym later in the day and again on Friday before the team is named.

Italy’s team doctor said: "Tomorrow he will definitely train with the rest of the squad, then on Thursday he will go through a fitness test in the gym.

"And if that goes well we will see how he gets on in training and then we will have another check to see if he can play."

Vice-captain Leonardo Ghrialdini, who suffered a slight pull to his right hip flexor against Canada, has undergone cryotherapy treatment and will be examined again today.

Ieracitano said he is “not likely” to feature against Ireland.