Tommaso Menoncello to miss Italy Nations Championship due to injury

Tommaso Menoncello Italy national rugby union team Nations Championship Toulouse rugby rugby injury

Italian rugby star Tommaso Menoncello will miss the upcoming Nations Championship campaign following a shoulder injury. The Toulouse centre sustained an acromioclavicular sprain in his left shoulder during a Champions Cup match against Exeter Chiefs.

Menoncello, who was named the 2024 Six Nations Player of the Championship, is expected to be sidelined for several weeks. His absence presents a significant challenge for head coach Gonzalo Quesada as Italy prepares for a demanding autumn schedule, which includes fixtures against South Africa, Argentina, and Fiji, followed by the Nations Championship Finals Weekend in London.

Toulouse is also facing injury concerns with players Thomas Ramos and Julien Marchand listed as doubts for the November Tests. The injury to Menoncello has added to ongoing discussions regarding player welfare and the intensity of the modern rugby calendar.