Italian centre Tommaso Castello will miss this year’s Rugby World Cup after failing to recover from an injury he sustained during the Six Nations.
The 27-year-old fractured his fibula whilst playing against England in March but has still not fully recovered and will not be available for Italy’s World Cup warm-up game meaning he will not be prepared when the tournament kicks-off.
Castello, who is Zebre’s club captain will now focus on being ready for the start of the PRO14 season.
“Rugby has formed my character and we are not accustomed to giving up, but with less than two months to the start of the World Cup I have to take note that I will not give the team the contribution that I want. The Rugby World Cup is the dream of every rugby player and it’s not easy having to say goodbye but, at this time, continuing my recovery and becoming available to Zebre in the Guinness PRO14 season is my main goal,” he said.
The 18-cap international has become a key component to Conor O’Shea’s Italian side and the head coach has admitted he will be sorely missed both on and off the pitch when the team head to Japan.
“All of us in the group are deeply sorry for Tommaso. We wish him the best for the continuation of his recovery. His absence, both as a player and as a person, will be painfully felt in the coming months,” he said.
Italy are set to train in Limerick all next week before facing Ireland in the Aviva Stadium on August 10th in their opening World Cup warm-up match.
That match will be followed by clashes with Russia, France and England before they head to Japan where they have been placed in Pool B along with New Zealand, South Africa, Namibia and Canada.
