There are just a few weeks left before the start of the Rugby World Cup in Japan and the Italian National team aim to be as prepared as possible for the big international event. For that reason, after the auspicious win against Russia in the Cattolica Test Match at San Benedetto del Tronto (85-15), Coach Conor O’Shea and the Azzuri (the Blues) are ready to win over the trust and affection of their fans, once again. They have gone home to Italy before their departure to Tokyo: on Sunday, Parisse and the team will be in Verona to commence the final preparation stage before the World Cup.

The team are back in the city of their main sponsor, Cattolica Assicurazioni, after a reunion last autumn that reconfirmed the strong tie between the Veronese and the oval ball, for the umpteenth time. They are bonded by the spirit of sacrifice, collaboration and a a desire to achieve their goal.

They will be meeting on Sunday the 25th at 3 pm at Verona's Payanini Center, where they will have a training session, open to the public, for the 31 members invited to take part in the Sol Levante. After the session, Parisse and the other players will be available for photos and autographs with fans. A warm send off to wish the team well before the final pre-World Cup test matches on the 30th of August in Paris, where they’ll play against France, and on the 6th of September in Newcastle against England. 

They played the XV transalpine, led by Jacques Brunel, and the XV della Rosa, led by Eddie Jones, respectively seventh and fifth in the World Rugby rankings: these were two perfect opportunities to undergo one final push before Japan, where Italrugby will arrive from London on the 7th of September following the test match against England.