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Parisse looking to strut his stuff on European stage again

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Sergio Parisse enjoyed a fine 2013 RBS 6 Nations campaign and Italy’s talisman is preparing himself to take on the great and the good of Europe once again with club side Stade Francais.

Sergio Parisse enjoyed a fine 2013 RBS 6 Nations campaign and Italy’s talisman is preparing himself to take on the great and the good of Europe once again with club side Stade Francais.

Captain Parisse sparked the Azzurri into life in the Six Nations, scoring a try in a famous win over France to kickstart a campaign before ending it by lifting his country to a win over Ireland.

But the 29-year-old has since returned to France to lead Stade Francais and the crunch games keep coming thick and fast.

Stade Francais take on a star-studded Toulon on Saturday before travelling to Bath to take on the English side in the Amlin Challenge Cup.

And No.8 Parisse admits that the Bath clash is already occupying his thoughts with Stade Francais’ Top 14 play-off challenge dwindling.

“Even if we can no longer really play for sixth place, we’ll try to fix the Challenge Cup as our goal,” said Parisse.

“That starts with the home game against Toulon, whom I consider the best team in Europe at the moment.

“There’s no better way to prepare for a quarter-final than by playing the current benchmark team.

“It’s no longer about the defensive bonus point, the four or five points that will change our championship.

“However, on a mental level, to produce a good game against Toulon, no matter the result, enables us to get in place and start the Bath week in high spirits and confidence.”