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History will be written on Saturday. For the first time ever a players in the Six Nations Championship will have led by team on 50 occasions. Italian captain Sergio Parisse will reach the milestone in Rome as Italy play host to France in the final round of this year’s edition of the tournament.
The 35-year-old from La Plata, Argentina has been playing international rugby since 2002. His debut was against New Zealand as part of that year’s June Internationals. The following year saw him playing in the first of four Rugby World Cups where he played against Canada, New Zealand, Tonga, and Wales.
Hie debut against New Zealand was at the age of 18. It took place one year following his family’s immigration to Italy from Argentina. Six years after making his debut he earned his 50th test cap and was also named Captain of Italy.
Now in 2019 Parisse is to become the first player to captain a country in 50 Six Nations matches. This record includes the prior forms of the competition which became the Six Nations in 2000.
His 50th cap as captain will be his 138th overall cap for Italy. Only three players in history have earned more caps – Richie McCaw (148), Brian O’Driscoll (141), and George Gregan (139).
