Six Nations Countdown: Warrior number 8

As we find ourselves just 8 days out from the kick-off of this year’s instalment of the Six Nations, we pay tribute to the greatest servant of the Azzurri, Sergio Parisse.

From a young age, the writing was on the proverbial wall that Parisse would leave a significant mark on the game of rugby. At just 17, he debuted for the Italian U20 side and, only a year later, earned passage into the senior international side.

Since then Parisse has notched up an incredible 142 Test caps, making him one of the most experienced international players of all time.

On the club scene, he – to this day, at the age of 39 –  plies his trade with Top 14 heavyweights, Toulon, for whom he has turned out no less than 51 times since 2019. Prior to that, Parisse earned a massive 265 caps for Stade Francais.