Ireland face this hulking beast in the Six Nations on February 7
Sergio Parisse has been an inspirational figure for Stade Francais this season and was at it again this weekend. The Italian No.8 inspired the Parisians to a 49-13 win over Castres, helping himself to a hat-trick in the process.
Parisse was simply immense all night. He made 22 carries for gains of 89 metres, beat four Castres defenders with ball-in-hand, claimed four line-outs, was part of a scrum that earned a penalty try and managed two offloads.
It would have been three offloads, after this monster fend, but his teammate’s knock-on provided the only blemish on a near-perfect night for Stade.
