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Italy reveal Traorè blow in squad update after Ireland defeat

Cherif Traore makes a break past Cian Healy and CJ Stander 27/2/2021
Italy prop Cherif Traorè is expected to miss his side’s remaining 2021 Guinness Six Nations fixtures after breaking his right arm in the defeat to Ireland.

Italy prop Cherif Traorè is expected to miss his side’s remaining 2021 Guinness Six Nations fixtures after breaking his right arm in the defeat to Ireland.

A Will Connors brace and further tries from Garry Ringrose, Hugo Keenan, CJ Stander and Keith Earls saw Andy Farrell’s visitors emerge with a 48-10 success in Rome.

Traorè had started the game on the bench before replacing Andrea Lovotti on 43 minutes but he only lasted 25 minutes before he was forced off with an injury to his right arm.

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And the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) said the 26-year-old is facing surgery after breaking his right arm during the Azzurri’s third defeat of this year’s Championship.

“Traorè suffered a fracture of the right radius,” the FIR said in a statement. “Together with the medical staff of his home club, the possibility of surgery will be evaluated in the coming days.”

Traorè was not the only Italian casualty from the game at the Stadio Olimpico, with Gloucester scrum-half Stephen Varney suffering an injury in the warm-up.

The FIR statement confirmed that Varney dislocated the fifth finger on his left hand before the game with Ireland, which saw Callum Braley taking his place in the starting line-up.

Lock Marco Lazzaroni also sprained his left knee in the game as Franco Smith looks to prepare his side for their final two games against Wales in Rome and Scotland at BT Murrayfield.