Sergio Parisse honoured to be part of Barbarians squad taking on Wales – Rugby news
Stade Francais’ ex-captain and utility player, Sergio Parisse, has been given the chance to play for Barbarians after he was named in the Barbarians squad that will play against Wales in three weeks time. Sergio Parisse is not
new to international rugby and is the current captain of the Italian national rugby team.
Sergio Parisse termed his inclusion in the Barbarians squad as the highlight of his career. Parisse will take the field at Millennium Stadium on June 4, against the Wales in a Barbarians jersey.
According to reports, Parisse will play alongside the Wallabies George Smith and Welshman Martyn Williams. Parisse has made 74 international appearances while George and Martyn have made 110 and 98 appearances respectively.
27-year-old Argentinean born player made his international debut for Italy in 2002. At the age of 18 he was part of Italy’s tour of Australasia. He played his first international game against All Blacks at Hamilton in June 2002.
Parisse has mostly played at the number 8 and flanker position. For a number 8 he has god positional sense on the field alongside exceptional ball handling in lineouts.
In 2003, he represented Italy in the Rugby World Cup and scored his first international try in Italy’s game against the Canada. From there onwards, he was a regular member of the Italy’s national rugby union team and represented
Italy at Six Nations and in World Cup campaigns.
After leaving Argentina in the early 2000s, he joined Benetton Rugby Treviso, an Italian professional rugby union club. He remained with them for two seasons and at the end of 2004/05 season, he switched to the French Top 14 side,
Stade Francais and this will be his sixth year with them. He has played 67 games for Stade Francais and captained the side as well.
Commenting on playing with the like of George and Martyn, he said, "I hold players like George Smith and Martyn Williams in high esteem and it will also be a great privilege for me to take the field alongside them against Wales."
He termed Barbarians as his source of inspiration and a great tradition in the game. He is particularly overjoyed to wear the famous Barbarians shirt and to be included in the elite group of players. He said, “I will regard it as a great personal achievement
and one of the highlights of my career so far to be able to pull on the famous jersey which so many legends of the game have worn.”
Barbarians will take on England at Twickenham on Sunday, May 29, before playing Wales at Millennium Stadium.
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