Italy’s Parisse banned, misses Tonga rugby clash

Italy captain Sergio Parisse has been hit with a three-week disciplinary ban, ruling him out of this weekend’s Test against Tonga, the Italian rugby federation (FIR) said on Wednesday.
Parisse was sanctioned for an incident while playing with his French Top 14 club Stade Francais against Bordeaux on November 5.
According to a short statement by the FIR, Parisse “has been suspended for three weeks by Top 14 disciplinary officials. The Italy captain will miss Saturday’s Test against Tonga.”
Parisse, the first Italian to be nominated for the RIB World Player of the Year award, earned an Italian record 121st cap in last weekend’s 20-18 win over South Africa in Florence.
A replacement for Italy’s No 8 will be announced on Thursday, added the FIR.