Sergio Parisse, a titan of Italian rugby, has been named Italy’s assistant coach for forwards, a role commencing in June 2026. This appointment aligns Parisse with head coach Gonzalo Quesada’s vision and marks a significant step as Italy gears up for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. The former Italy captain, who boasts a remarkable 142 caps and 94 captaincies, brings a wealth of experience to the position, emphasizing lineout strategies.
The collaboration between Parisse and Quesada blossomed after a year of mutual admiration and strategic discussions. Initially approached by Quesada in late 2024, Parisse felt a further seasoning at RC Toulon was essential before stepping into this pivotal role. "I was only in my second year at Toulon," Parisse shared. "Gonzalo had spoken to me, but I felt I needed to get a little bit more experience. Now I’ve coached for over another year, so I’ve had three years. I’m really enjoying it."
"I believe that it’s absolutely the optimal time to be joining. One and a half years out before the World Cup with a set of forwards that I think are outstanding. This is not only the closing of one chapter, but the opening of a completely new one."
For Parisse, this move is more than a professional transition; it is a return to his adopted home. Having moved from Argentina to Italy in his youth, Parisse has a profound connection with the Italian culture and people. "From my personal life point of view, I’ll be back home," he expressed, highlighting the personal significance of this new chapter with his family close by.
Under Quesada’s leadership, Italy has shown promising growth, notably achieving their first-ever victory over England in the 2026 Six Nations. Parisse is stepping into a forward pack that he describes as potentially the best in Italian history. His focus will be on nurturing this talent, leveraging his extensive playing and coaching experience.
Transitioning from club to international coaching, Parisse sought advice from Scotland’s head coach, Gregor Townsend, who highlighted the distinct nature of Test rugby. "Gregor explained to me that Test rugby is a different game from a coach’s lens," recounted Parisse, noting the shift towards a more detailed and intensive coaching approach at the international level.
As Parisse prepares for his new role, his immediate focus remains on RC Toulon's upcoming European Champions Cup quarter-final against Glasgow Warriors. This commitment underscores his dedication to his current team while he anticipates the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead with Italy.
With his deep understanding of the game, multilingual fluency, and connections across European rugby, Parisse is uniquely positioned to influence Italian rugby profoundly. As Italy looks towards the 2027 World Cup, Parisse’s return to the national team setup is not just a homecoming but a beacon of hope for a resurgent Italian squad.
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Sergio Parisse, a titan of Italian rugby, has been named Italy’s assistant coach for forwards, a role commencing in June 2026. This appointment aligns Parisse with head coach Gonzalo Quesada’s vision and marks a significant step as Italy gears up for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. The former Italy captain, who boasts a remarkable 142 caps and 94 captaincies, brings a wealth of experience to the position, emphasizing lineout strategies.
The collaboration between Parisse and Quesada blossomed after a year of mutual admiration and strategic discussions. Initially approached by Quesada in late 2024, Parisse felt a further seasoning at RC Toulon was essential before stepping into this pivotal role. "I was only in my second year at Toulon," Parisse shared. "Gonzalo had spoken to me, but I felt I needed to get a little bit more experience. Now I’ve coached for over another year, so I’ve had three years. I’m really enjoying it."
"I believe that it’s absolutely the optimal time to be joining. One and a half years out before the World Cup with a set of forwards that I think are outstanding. This is not only the closing of one chapter, but the opening of a completely new one."
For Parisse, this move is more than a professional transition; it is a return to his adopted home. Having moved from Argentina to Italy in his youth, Parisse has a profound connection with the Italian culture and people. "From my personal life point of view, I’ll be back home," he expressed, highlighting the personal significance of this new chapter with his family close by.
Under Quesada’s leadership, Italy has shown promising growth, notably achieving their first-ever victory over England in the 2026 Six Nations. Parisse is stepping into a forward pack that he describes as potentially the best in Italian history. His focus will be on nurturing this talent, leveraging his extensive playing and coaching experience.
Transitioning from club to international coaching, Parisse sought advice from Scotland’s head coach, Gregor Townsend, who highlighted the distinct nature of Test rugby. "Gregor explained to me that Test rugby is a different game from a coach’s lens," recounted Parisse, noting the shift towards a more detailed and intensive coaching approach at the international level.
As Parisse prepares for his new role, his immediate focus remains on RC Toulon's upcoming European Champions Cup quarter-final against Glasgow Warriors. This commitment underscores his dedication to his current team while he anticipates the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead with Italy.
With his deep understanding of the game, multilingual fluency, and connections across European rugby, Parisse is uniquely positioned to influence Italian rugby profoundly. As Italy looks towards the 2027 World Cup, Parisse’s return to the national team setup is not just a homecoming but a beacon of hope for a resurgent Italian squad.