Rugby World Cup: Italy captain out for opener against France

Italy captain Sergio Parisse. Photo / Getty Images

Italy's captain, Sergio Parisse, has declared himself unfit for their first World Cup clash, against France at Twickenham next weekend.

The 31-year-old Argentine-born No 8, capped 112 times by Italy and their star player, has not fully recovered from surgery to drain a haematoma last Monday.

He picked up the injury, a swelling of clotted blood in his left leg, in Italy's Cup warm-up defeat to Wales in Cardiff last weekend.

Italian rugby bosses initially said Parisse would not meet up with the Italy team in Rome at the weekend but would instead link up "at a later date" in England.

Italy coach Jacques Brunel played down Parisse's absence, but admitted the experienced Stade Francais player, considered one of the world's best in his position, would be missed. "We've played without him before, so we'll find a solution," Brunel said. "But ... he's a very influential player for us."

Italy team manager Luigi Troiani said Parisse would have more tests today to see if he would risk thrombosis by flying.

Troiani hoped Parisse would return in time for Italy's fixture against Canada at Leeds' Elland Road ground on September 26.

"We have to see how his injury develops, we're in contact with the medical staff at Stade Francais," said Troiani.

"So Sergio will remain in Paris ... and when he does [come] he will come by train.

"We hope to have him back for the Canadian game."

After the Group D curtain-raiser against the French, Italy face Canada, Ireland and Romania.

AAP