Italy sweat on Sergio Parisse's fitness ahead of Ireland clash

Italy will have a nervous wait on the fitness of their skipper Sergio Parisse ahead of the Six Nations encounter against Ireland on Saturday.

The influential number eight suffered a neck injury during the 7-33 defeat against Wales last weekend and underwent an MRI scan on Sunday to assess the extent of damage.

Italy's medical team believe the 33-year-old has avoided a serious injury but Parisse will still have an uphill task of proving his match fitness before taking on Ireland.

"Parisse yesterday underwent an MRI scan after trauma to his neck that he reported from the match," said Italy team manager Luigi Troiani.

"The examination did not show anything special, and already this morning he showed great signs of improvement.

"Tomorrow we hope to get him back on the pitch, to start to prepare for the match against Ireland."

Even though scrum-half Edoardo Gori got Italy into lead with a 28th minute try which was followed by a conversion from Carlo Canna, the visitors bounced back tremendously in the second half where fullback Leigh Halfpenny scored three penalties while Jonathan Davies, Liam Williams and George North touched down in the final quarter to seal a 26-point win for Rob Howley's men.

Italy forwards coach Giampiero De Carli insisted that his team had led the game slip away in the final 20 minutes where they conceded three tries and wants the Azzurris to address the issue when they take on Ireland.

"The team, up to a quarter of an hour from the end, was in the game and this is a fact," said De Carli.

"But we must take the result for what it is and look at the good things we have done and are doing."

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