Injured Parisse out of Samoa match

ASCOLI PICENO, Italy (AP) -Captain Sergio Parisse has been ruled out of Italy's match against Samoa on Saturday and could be out for up to six months after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during training.

Parisse underwent a scan on Thursday and the Italy Rugby Federation confirmed his absence with an announcement on its Web site.

He is also almost certain to miss the 2010 Six Nations and Heineken Cup matches for his club, Stade Francais.

"The medical showed the instability of the anterior cruciate in his knee and we shall reevaluate it in the next few days,'' Italy's doctor Roberto Pozzoni said. "At the moment we are not ruling out the need for surgery, but we expect his recovery to take between 120 and 180 days.''

The news is a massive blow for Italy coach Mallett who is seeking to end a run of 13 defeats.

Italy's last win was the 13-12 victory over Argentina in June 2008.

One of Mallett's first acts as Italy coach was to make Parisse his captain and the number 8's consistency has been one of the few bright spots during Mallett's near two years in charge.

Hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini, one of five changes to the side that lost 32-10 to South Africa last Saturday in Udine, takes over as captain.

Alessandro Zanni moves from flanker to number 8, with Josh Sole coming into the back row alongside Mauro Bergamasco, who also returns to the starting lineup after missing the South Africa fixture.

Center Gonzalo Canale, scrumhalf Tito Tebaldi and wing Kaine Robertson are the other players back in the starting team.

Against New Zealand and South Africa the scrum was Italy's undoubted strong point and on a number of occasions the pack forced the All Blacks and Springboks front rows into conceding penalties.

Ex-Australia rugby league captain Craig Gower will hope to continue his rugby union education following mixed performances against New Zealand and South Africa.

Despite setting up Gonzalo Garcia for his try against the Springboks, he has failed to spark the backline in the way Mallett hoped, whilst his kicking both from hand and at goal has been poor.

In Udine he and fullback Luke McLean missed two penalty kicks apiece, costing Italy 12 points.

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Italy Squad:

Luke McLean, Kaine Robertson, Gonzalo Canale, Gonzalo Garcia, Mirco Bergamasco, Craig Gower, Tito Tebaldi, Alessandro Zanni, Mauro Bergamasco, Josh sole, Quintin Geldenhuys, Carlo Del Fava, Martin Castrogiovanni, Leonardo Ghiraldini (captain), Salvatore Perugini.

Replacements: Fabio Ongaro, Ignacio Rouyet, Antonio Pavanello, Simone Favaro, Simon Picone, Riccardo Bocchino, Alberto Sgarbi.