All career-ending injuries are to be mourned but the last couple of weeks or so have been hard to digest for Italy fans and indeed those of us who simply enjoy watching brilliant players happy in their work.
Within the space of 10 days or so came the news that first full-back Matteo Minozzi was having to give second best to injury – an ACL that never came good – followed by another body blow with almost identical news regarding flanker Jake Polledri, above, who also had to contend with a serious shoulder injury as well as an ACL that caused serious nerve damage in his leg and foot.
Both, in their pomp, were magnificent performers in adversity and you can only imagine how they would have flourished in the more attack minded Italian sides of recent seasons.
During his debut season, in a heavily outgunned Italy team, Minozzi, below, scored tries against Ireland, Scotland, France and Wales. He was an absolute menace in attack on the few occasions he got the ball and for a smallish man exceptional under the high ball. In total he scored 11 tries in just 24 appearances for Italy.
Polledri, son of former Bristol legend Peter, has Italian grandparents and played for Italy U20 fully 10 years ago so he nailed his colours to the mast early on. His incredible tackle busting running power was a sight to behold for a flanker who although well-built was no giant.
By RWC 2019 he was on the cusp of world class, and to these eyes was one of the best back rowers on view in Japan which cruelly proved to be a career summit rather than the launching pad it deserved to be.
Ci mancherai molto ragazzi… we are going to miss you guys.
