Luca Morisi ruled out of World Cup

Members of Italy’s World Cup roster Gonzalo Garcia and Luca Morisi underwent tests today to determine the extent of their injuries suffered on Saturday playing a warm-up match in Cardiff against World Cup sub-hosts Wales.

Exams showed that Luca Morisi suffered a second degree medial collateral ligament injury in his right knee, with partial involvement of the anterior cruciate ligament. The injury is such that Morisi’s World Cup dream has ended. A substitute will be identified and made official soon.

Gonzalo Garcia, meanwhile, suffered a second-degree sprained right ankle ankle, and has begun treatment at his Guinness Pro 12 club, Zebre. He is to join the national team on Saturday 12 September in Rome ahead of his departure for England to continue the path of recovery.

Another Argentine, Sergio Parisse is expected to be cleared to play in the World Cup but his involvement vs France in the opening weekend is clouded. Like Garcia and Morisi the Italian captain was injured playing against Wales. The match was devastating to both teams with both Rhys Webb and Leigh Halfpenny having also been ruled out of the World Cup.

Italy are to play in Pool D taking on Canada, France, Ireland and Romania.