Rugby, Ange Capuozzo will miss the last matches of the Six Nations, that of Saturday 11 March with Wales in Rome and that of 18 March with Scotland in Murrayfield. And we had now resigned to this, albeit very reluctantly because especially in the match at the Olimpico, the one with the “least impossible” prediction, someone like him would have made the difference. In fact, whoever loses on Saturday is at a very high risk of a wooden spoon (all defeats).
During the last match against Ireland, the Italy and Stade Toulousain full-back (Top 14 battleship) suffered a contusion to his left shoulder blade following a red card tackle that was ignored by the referee. For the staff of the French club, Capuozzo did not need to be operated on, but had to rest for at least a month, instead for the staff of the national team, who had subjected Capuozzo to tests after the match, it was the case to submit him to further visits because maybe – it was hoped – at least with Scotland he could recover. And a foreign club that protects “its” player is certainly nothing new.
So coach Crowley had also summoned him for the rally that began today, Monday, in Verona. A call-up that Toulouse certainly didn’t like.
How did it end? In the end the tug of war had the result summarized in today’s press release from the federation. In summary, Capuozzo has not moved from Toulouse and for him the Six Nations is, now also officially, over.
Fir note
“The medical staff of the Italian men’s rugby team has issued the following update in relation to the physical conditions of Ange Capuozzo, who was injured against Ireland. In light of the persistence of pain symptoms in his left shoulder and with the intention of allowing the player to continue the rehabilitation process in the utmost tranquility and with the times necessary for a full functional recovery, the technical staff and the medical staff of Italy have agreed with the athlete not to proceed with his reintegration into the team group in view of the last two days of the Guinness Six Nations Capuozzo will continue his rehabilitation in Toulouse, with the medical staff of his club, in alignment with the federal structures”.
