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Injured D'Apice out of World Cup

Thursday 22 September 2011, 10:55PM

By Rugby World Cup 2011

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Tommaso D'Apice (L) picked up a knee injury in the Russia match
Tommaso D'Apice (L) picked up a knee injury in the Russia match Credit: Rugby World Cup 2011

NELSON

Tommaso D'Apice has been withdrawn from Italy's Rugby World Cup 2011 squad after an MRI scan on Thursday showed he had injured ligaments in his left knee and would need 21 days' rest.

The hooker picked up the injury late in the Azzurri's 53-17 win over Russia at Trafalgar Park on Tuesday. His recovery time means he will be unavailable to Italy coach Nick Mallet for the matches with USA on 27 September and Ireland on 2 October.

"I am extremely sad to be leaving the World Cup," said D'Apice, "but I spoke to Nick and we agreed that the right thing was for me to return to Italy."

The Italians must wait for RWC 2011 doctors to verify the injury before they can call up a replacement.

D'Apice made his international debut in the pre-RWC warm-up match against Japan in August. His appearance off the bench against Russia was his first of the tournament.

"It isn't easy to leave a World Cup after only having played a small part, but I am 23 and will continue to work hard to make myself a regular member of the squad," he added.

"I have only been in the squad for a few months, but even those few months were enough to make me understand how united this squad is. I wish my teammates good luck and hope they can continue as they played against Russia and reach the next round, because we deserve to."