Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada will be without hooker Marco Manfredi against Scotland on Saturday as part of the 4th day of the Six Nations Tournament and called on former captain Luca Bigi to replace him on Tuesday.
“Examinations carried out on Monday showed that Marco Manfredi suffered from a strain of the soleus muscle of the left calf,” explained the Italian Rugby Federation.
The Parma hooker (3 caps), who did not participate in any of Italy’s first three matches in the 2024 Tournament, will join his team to begin treatment, the press release continues, without specifying the duration of his absence.
Quesada called up for the first time since taking charge of the Nazionale Luca Bigi, who wore the azzurro jersey 48 times (13 times as captain).
Bigi, 32, was selected for the 2023 World Cup but was unable to participate in the first two group matches due to an adductor injury. He withdrew during the tournament and was replaced by Manfredi.
Before hosting Scotland on Saturday at the Olympic Stadium in Rome, Italy is 6th and last in the standings with three points.
She held France (13-13) to a draw in Villeneuve-d’Ascq during the 3rd day, after two defeats against Ireland (36-0) and England (27-24).