"We have the potential to believe": Sergio Parisse aims for the Challenge Cup/Top 14 double with Toulon before his retirement

Jean-Baptiste Sarrazin with AFP / Photo credit: JEAN CATUFFE / DPPI via AFP 21:51 p.m., April 24, 2023

How far can Sergio Parisse go? At almost 40 years old, the Italian third line is playing the last season of his career. The rugby player hopes to finish in style and aims for the double Challenge Cup and Top 14. "We have the potential to believe in it. This group deserves a lot. We hope to go all the way, everything is still possible," said Sergio Parisse exclusively in Europe 1 Sport (every evening from 20 p.m. to 23 p.m. live on Europe 1).

In recent weeks, RC Toulon has come back very strong despite this weekend's defeat in Castres (31-18). Before this defeat, the Varois had recorded only one defeat in 11 matches, whether in the Challenge Cup or in the Top 14. "The results are quite positive. We made good performances, we are in the fight in the Top 14 and for us this week it is special because we receive Benetton in the semi-final of the Challenge Cup on Sunday, "confirmed Sergio Parisse at the microphone of Lionel Rosso. In the league, Toulon are currently fifth in the standings three days before the end of the regular season, a place synonymous with qualification for the quarter-finals.

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Retreat with Toulon or with Italy?

Decision taken, Sergio Parisse will stop at the end of the season his career as a rugby player. "The decision has already been taken for a long time even if it is a little scary to stop after 22 years as a player," confirmed the main interested party in Europe 1 Sport. But it remains to be seen when will be the end of the season for the third line: the end of the season of the championship of France or... the end of the Rugby World Cup in France which will take place next September?

"I have an appointment with the Italian team at the beginning of May and if the coach believes that I can still bring to the group I will be delighted" to finish my career during the World Cup. If he is selected with the Italian team, Sergio Parisse will play his sixth Rugby World Cup, a record in rugby. A performance that would be more than deserved for Mathieu Blin, present on the set of Europe 1 Sport, who believes that the former player of Stade Français "has this leadership and charisma in the groups" that would justify his presence in the Italian group.

A pre-designed end career but which will not keep Sergio Parisse away from the rugby fields. The Toulon third line has already announced that he will join the Var staff alongside Pierre Mignoni next season.