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Italy great Parisse appointed Azzurri forwards coach / Photo: © AFP/File
Italy great Parisse appointed Azzurri forwards coach
Former Italy captain Sergio Parisse will take over as the Azzurri's assistant forwards coach later this year, the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) announced on Wednesday.
Parisse, 42, will leave his role as lineout coach at French Top 14 club Toulon at the end of the season in time for the start of the Nations Championship.
Parisse will reunite with Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada, under whom he won the 2015 Top 14 title at Stade Francais.
"Returning to Italy and being able to contribute from within the FIR to the growth of the national team and the entire rugby movement in my country is an extraordinary opportunity," Parisse said in a FIR statement.
"I'm delighted to be able to do so alongside a coach I worked with during my years as a player at Stade Francais and whom I have profound respect for, Gonzalo Quesada.
"I thank Toulon for these years together and I'm determined to complete my commitment to the club until the end of the Top 14."
Italy begin their Nations Championship campaign in Japan on July 4 before heading to New Zealand a week later and then travelling to Australia on July 18.
A. Madsen--BTZ
