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Sbaraglini called up to Italy squad

Saturday 24 September 2011, 12:26AM

By Rugby World Cup 2011

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Tommaso D'Apice has been recalled to Italy to recover from a knee injury
Tommaso D'Apice has been recalled to Italy to recover from a knee injury Credit: Rugby World Cup 2011

NELSON

Italy have called up hooker Franco Sbaraglini to replace Tommaso D'Apice, who was forced to return to Italy with a knee injury.

D'Apice learned on Thursday he had injured ligaments in his left knee during the 53-17 win over Russia and would be sidelined for 21 days.

It meant he would miss Italy's matches against USA on 27 September and Ireland on 2 October.

Italy needed the Rugby World Cup medical staff to verify D'Apice's injury before they officially called Sbaraglini up as a replacement.

The 28-year-old Sbaraglini plays for Treviso in the Italian Super 10 competition and has won five caps for Italy. His most recent appearance was in June 2010 in the 55-11 loss to South Africa in East London.