ROME (Reuters) - Italy captain Sergio Parisse will miss the Six Nations clash with Ireland on Sunday after suffering concussion palying for his club Stade Francais at the weekend.
The Italian federation said he was following the required head injury protocols after a suspected concussion in his club's defeat by Lyon in the French Top 14 competition on Saturday.
Parisse will stay with the Italy squad this week as they prepare for the game at Rome's Olympic Stadium
The 35-year-old Parisse broke the record for the most Six Nations appearances at the start of this year’s competition when Italy lost to Scotland in Edinburgh.
He also played in their last game against Wales and has started each of his 67 Six Nations outings.
Italy’s skipper boasts 136 caps in total, having made his test debut back in 2002.
(Reporting by Mark Gleeson; Editing by Ken Ferris)