One of Italy’s rising stars has torn cruciate ligaments in his knee and is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
The Italian Rugby Federation confirmed on Friday that Edoardo Todaro suffered the injury during a national training camp ahead of the Azzurri’s opener against Scotland on Saturday.
The FIR said diagnostic tests revealed a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in Todaro’s right knee.
The 19-year-old winger will now return to the Northampton Saints to begin his rehabilitation. The injury is expected to keep him out of action for several months.
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Todaro had been named in Gonzalo Quesada’s squad for the Six Nations and was tipped to feature prominently after a breakout season in England.
The electric wing has been one of the revelations of the Premiership campaign, scoring 10 tries in 13 appearances for Saints after signing his first professional contract before the start of the season.
His rapid rise was briefly interrupted by a two-match suspension for an aerial tackle, but that did little to slow his momentum.
Todaro’s form earned him a first senior Italy call-up and he made his Test debut off the bench against Chile in November.
Born in Milan, Todaro moved to England at the age of 14 to study at Ipswich School, where he was identified by Northampton’s academy scouts.
He has long been regarded as one of Italy’s brightest prospects, having represented the Azzurri at U18 level while still only 16, before featuring in last year’s U20 Six Nations and World Championship.
– AFP
Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
