Italy centre Tommaso Menoncello ruled out of the World Cup

Italy centre Tommaso Menoncello will play no part in the World Cup next month after suffering a biceps injury against Ireland on Saturday.

The Benetton star left the Aviva Stadium pitch on 75 minutes, just minutes after powering over the line for a try. The expression on the 20-year-old’s face suggested he knew the severity of his injury, and it has now been confirmed by Italy that he will undergo surgery later this week after detaching his biceps tendon.

Menoncello has swiftly become a central figure in Italy’s back line, starting four of their Six Nations matches this year on either the wing or inside centre, and was in line to start the final match before having to pull out.

Having started at outside centre against Scotland, the Italian shifted to inside centre against Ireland, which has been a more familiar role for him for the Azzurri. Italy came away from both matches with a loss, and now face Romania and Japan in their final preparation matches before the World Cup, where they are in Pool A alongside France and the All Blacks.

A statement from the Italian Rugby Federation reads (translated on Google): “The medical staff of the Italian Men’s Rugby Team has shared the following medical bulletin on Tommaso Menoncello.

“The Italy three-quarter, released in the 75th minute of the match against Ireland, performed instrumental tests on the afternoon of Monday 7 August which highlighted the detachment of the tendon of the biceps head with associated injury to the joint capsule.

“The athlete will be operated on Thursday and will follow the rehabilitation period at his club under the synergistic supervision of the medical staff of Benetton Rugby and the national team.”

Italy head coach Kieran Crowley is set to name his squad on August 22 after delaying the announcement due to an injury pile-up.