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'This is a brilliant move': London Irish sign Italy's Luca Morisi
By Liam Heagney
London Irish have bolstered their ranks with the signing of another Italian international, this time midfielder Luca Morisi from Benetton. It was just last week when the Gallagher Premiership club confirmed the capture of 24-year-old Test prop Danilo Fischetti from Zebre Parma for the 2022/23 season.
That announcement came just months after they added to their pack with the immediate effect signing in April of 25-year-old Italian prop Giosue Zilocchi from Zebre. It was last November when the 31-year-old Morisi won the last of his 36 Test caps.
A London Irish statement read: “Luca Morisi will join Declan Kidney’s set-up at Hazelwood this summer and bolster Irish’s options in midfield. The dynamic centre made his debut for the Azzurri in 2012 and has since represented them in four Guinness Six Nations campaigns and in the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
“In two appearances at Twickenham, Morisi has managed to cross the whitewash three times and famously registered a brace against England in the 2015 Six Nations, contributing to his four tries in 15 tournament appearances.
“His beginnings in rugby saw him come through the ranks of his local side Milano before continuing his development in northern Italy in his first professional Clubs, Grande Milano Rugby and Crociati Parma Rugby. Morisi spent time on loan with Benetton before a permanent switch to the Venetian side in 2012.”
London Irish director of rugby Declan Kidney said: “Luca boasts a good amount of club and international experience, which can be a valuable asset to any squad. We look forward to seeing his impact, both on and off the field.”
Morisi added: “I’m very thankful to have this opportunity presented to me as it has always been an aspiration to play in England. I believe this is a brilliant move for myself and my family, and I can’t wait to prove myself to Declan and his staff.”
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Look, we know contradicting opinions and wacky comments bring readers and clicks, so well done to RP for allowing always-wrong-Ben to say something here. However RP needs to put a disclaimer next to his comments for their own credibility. NZ was and is incapable of acknowledging their opp beating them. They refused so with Ire and with Arg in 2022 and also the Boks in 2023 x 2. Nothing Ben says here holds water, NZ attacked backwards, except when Kolisi and Kolbe was off And cyncialy took out Bongi, we played without lineouts for 75mins. Kolisi and Kurt-Lee almost scored twice. Thats 3 vs 2 for Boks, but the Boks opportunities was legal. Boks should have been 16-3 up by half time. Tacticaly the Boks attacked better defended better scrummed better (without a hooker) kicked better and crossed the whitewash more times. Boks beat Fr Eng Nz to win in 23, comeon give some credit at least. Even Federer Verstappen NY Mets, Mamoa, was able to see a great human sport achievement by the Boks and their DNA Boks #RWC27 !🏉
Go to commentsForget the 85kg bit, that can become something else. However I do like the one off test on ANZAC day idea. SR plays Fri/ Sat, test players travel Sunday and the squads have the full week together before playing Saturday. Rest of SR has a week off. Either involve women's teams in same location or in the other country and rotate annually. Herbert is right in that change is needed.
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