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Italy centre Bisegni announces international retirement

Giulio Bisegni during the warm up 17/3/2018
Giulio Bisegni says he will always treasure every moment he spent representing the Azzurri after the Italian centre announced his retirement from international rugby.

Giulio Bisegni says he will always treasure every moment he spent representing the Azzurri after the Italian centre announced his retirement from international rugby.

The 28-year-old Zebre midfielder has won 16 caps for his country over the last five years, making his debut against England at Twickenham in the 2015 Championship.

He has made eight appearances in total in Rugby’s Greatest Championship, with his last cap coming in Italy’s defeat to Scotland in Rome in the 2020 Guinness Six Nations.

And while Bisegni will never forget the first time he ran out in the Championship, he has decided the time is right for him to focus more on his life away from the pitch.

“At the age of 28, I feel I have given everything I could to the Italy jersey and today the priorities are my private life, Zebre and the completion of my university career,” he said.

“It was a difficult choice but reasoned up to the last moment. I perfectly remember every moment of my debut in Twickenham on February 14, 2015.

“Being 23 years old in the temple of Rugby against one of the strongest teams in the world does not happen every day. I deeply loved every day spent in the blue shirt.

“I am grateful for all the opportunities that have been granted to me. The environment of the national team allowed me to live experiences from a human and professional point of view that will remain an indelible memory.

“I met people who over time became friends and realised the dream of participating in a World Cup. In rugby, as in life, every choice can condition your action to reach the goal: a pass, an offload, a turnover.

“I will be the first fan of the Azzurri and I am proud to have been part of this group that I am sure over time will reap the fruits of the hard work that is done day after day.

“I thank all the players and members of the staff of the national team for the support they have given me from the first to the last day of the meeting together.”

Italy head coach Franco Smith is preparing his side ahead of their opening match in the Autumn Nations Cup after frustrating England last time out in their 34-5 Championship defeat.

And Smith said he has been incredibly impressed by Bisegni as a person during his time in charge.

“I respect Giulio’s choice who, as in every juncture of his stay in the Azzurri team under my management, turns out to be a deeply mature person,” said Smith.

“Life presents us with choices to face every day, often hard. I had the pleasure of working with a man, before a player, who immediately made himself available to the technical staff, contributing, together with the group of leaders, to the growth of this group.

“I wish Giulio to achieve all the goals he has set in his private life.”