EUROPEAN CHALLENGE CUP: Parisse relishing one last battle before retirement
May 19, 2023
Toulon and Italy number eight Sergio Parisse is set to bring the curtain down on his illustrious career when he runs out for the French giants against Glasgow in the European Challenge Cup final in Dublin on Friday night.
Toulon are no longer the galacticos of Rugby but they are still an impressive side and parisse will line up alongside the likes of Wales fly-half Dan Bigger and France wing Gabin Villiere while Springboks World Cup winner Cheslin Kolbe will start at full-back.
Speaking ahead of the game Parisse, who is the fourth most capped rugbu international of all time with 142 Test caps for Italy said: “I am just trying to enjoy every single moment and I am really happy to have the opportunity again to play a cup final with Toulon.
“For me it is a joy, it is an opportunity and it is a privilege.
“But it is a team sport and it is not about individuals. A final is a 50-50 game. Glasgow are a good team, they deserve to be in the final and in a final it doesn’t matter if you play good rugby or not – you must win.”
Meanwhile Glasgow Warriors South African coach Franco Smith said: “I’m excited for the boys coming out into this arena and it just underlines the importance of this game and also how far they’ve come this season.
“There’s a general feel of excitement and now it’s to manage that excitement into actions.
“Our main theme is to make Scotland and Glasgow proud, and these guys have gone about their business in that way. If we come off the field with a win it will be absolutely fantastic and we’ll think about the accolades after that.”
The game kicks off at 9pm South African time on Friday evening.
Teams
Glasgow:Â Ollie Smith; Sebastian Cancelliere, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, Kyle Steyn; Domingo Miotti, George Horne; Jamie Bhatti, Fraser Brown, Zander Fagerson; JP du Preez, Scott Cummings; Matt Fagerson; Sione Vailanu, Jack Dempsey.
Replacements: Johnny Matthews, Nathan McBeth, Simon Berghan, Richie Gray, Lewis Bean, Rory Darge, Ali Price, Stafford McDowall.
Toulon:Â Cheslin Kolbe; Jiuta Naqoli Wainiqolo, Waisea Vuidravuwalu, Duncan Paia’aua, Gabin Villiere; Dan Biggar, Baptiste Serin; Dany Priso, Teddy Baubigny, Beka Gigashvili; Mathieu Tanguy, Brian Alainu’uese; Cornell Du Preez, Charles Ollivon, Sergio Parisse.
Replacements: Christopher Tolofua, Jean Baptiste Gros, Kieran Brookes, Facundo Isa, Mathieu Bastareaud, Benoit Paillaugue, Ihaia West, Jeremy Sinzelle.
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EUROPEAN CHALLENGE CUP: Parisse relishing one last battle before retirement
Toulon and Italy number eight Sergio Parisse is set to bring the curtain down on his illustrious career when he runs out for the French giants against Glasgow in the European Challenge Cup final in Dublin on Friday night.
Toulon are no longer the galacticos of Rugby but they are still an impressive side and parisse will line up alongside the likes of Wales fly-half Dan Bigger and France wing Gabin Villiere while Springboks World Cup winner Cheslin Kolbe will start at full-back.
Speaking ahead of the game Parisse, who is the fourth most capped rugbu international of all time with 142 Test caps for Italy said: “I am just trying to enjoy every single moment and I am really happy to have the opportunity again to play a cup final with Toulon.
“For me it is a joy, it is an opportunity and it is a privilege.
“But it is a team sport and it is not about individuals. A final is a 50-50 game. Glasgow are a good team, they deserve to be in the final and in a final it doesn’t matter if you play good rugby or not – you must win.”
Meanwhile Glasgow Warriors South African coach Franco Smith said: “I’m excited for the boys coming out into this arena and it just underlines the importance of this game and also how far they’ve come this season.
“There’s a general feel of excitement and now it’s to manage that excitement into actions.
“Our main theme is to make Scotland and Glasgow proud, and these guys have gone about their business in that way. If we come off the field with a win it will be absolutely fantastic and we’ll think about the accolades after that.”
The game kicks off at 9pm South African time on Friday evening.
Teams
Glasgow:Â Ollie Smith; Sebastian Cancelliere, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, Kyle Steyn; Domingo Miotti, George Horne; Jamie Bhatti, Fraser Brown, Zander Fagerson; JP du Preez, Scott Cummings; Matt Fagerson; Sione Vailanu, Jack Dempsey.
Replacements: Johnny Matthews, Nathan McBeth, Simon Berghan, Richie Gray, Lewis Bean, Rory Darge, Ali Price, Stafford McDowall.
Toulon:Â Cheslin Kolbe; Jiuta Naqoli Wainiqolo, Waisea Vuidravuwalu, Duncan Paia’aua, Gabin Villiere; Dan Biggar, Baptiste Serin; Dany Priso, Teddy Baubigny, Beka Gigashvili; Mathieu Tanguy, Brian Alainu’uese; Cornell Du Preez, Charles Ollivon, Sergio Parisse.
Replacements: Christopher Tolofua, Jean Baptiste Gros, Kieran Brookes, Facundo Isa, Mathieu Bastareaud, Benoit Paillaugue, Ihaia West, Jeremy Sinzelle.