Sergio Parisse has confirmed he will leave RC Toulon at the end of the season, calling time on his stint in the Top 14 as he prepares to step into a new coaching role with Italy.
The iconic number eight will link up with Gonzalo Quesada’s staff, returning to a national set-up he knows inside out — but this time with a whistle instead of a jersey.
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🇮🇹 A long time coming
This move hasn’t happened overnight.
Quesada first made his move back in December 2024, sounding out Parisse about joining his coaching team. But the Italian legend wasn’t quite ready to take the plunge.
Instead, he chose patience — wanting to build up his coaching CV and, crucially, honour his contract with Toulon.
Now, with the Rugby World Cup looming large, everything has aligned.
☎️ The unexpected phone call
Before making it official, Parisse picked up the phone — and the man on the other end wasn’t Italian.
Scotland boss Gregor Townsend became a key sounding board, offering insight from his own journey from player to club coach to the international game.
It proved a pivotal conversation.
🧠 “Test rugby is a different beast”
Townsend’s message was clear: international rugby isn’t just a step up — it’s a completely different job.
Instead of the relentless week-to-week grind of the Top 14, Test coaches operate in shorter bursts, with fewer games but far more time to analyse, plan and develop.
For Parisse, that shift in rhythm was a major pull.
More time. More detail. More impact.
🚀 Ready for the next chapter
Armed with fresh perspective and timing finally on his side, Parisse is ready to take the leap.
From Italy captain to Italy coach — the next chapter is officially underway.
📊 RUCK FACT FILE
- Name: Sergio Parisse
- Age: 42
- Position (playing): Number Eight
- Clubs: Stade Français, RC Toulon
- Italy caps: 140+ (record holder)
- Next role: Italy national team coach under Gonzalo Quesada
- Key influence on decision: Conversation with Gregor Townsend
- Departure: End of current Top 14 season
Springboks Dominate 2026 World XV
Based on current form and influence, we have selected a best XV in world rugby right now, choosing the standout player in each position.
15 Thomas Ramos
Cold as ice and arguably the best kicker in the world, Ramos proved it when he slotted France’s match winning kick in the Six Nations.
Even without that unforgettable moment in Paris, he was outstanding throughout the championship. His goal kicking was close to flawless and his playmaking from fullback made him a crucial attacking weapon.
He even moved to fly half against Italy and looked completely comfortable, highlighting his versatility. Performances like that make his place in this team fully deserved.
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14 Louis Bielle-Biarrey
At just 22 years old, Louis Bielle-Biarrey is redefining expectations for a winger. He is now Bordeaux’s all time leading try scorer and holds the record for the most tries in a single Six Nations, remarkable achievements so early in his career.
From a hat trick on his Champions Cup debut at 18 to helping deliver Bordeaux’s first European title and claiming Six Nations Player of the Tournament honours, his rise has been rapid and emphatic.
Nine tries in the recent championship is extraordinary and he continues to improve.
13 Tommaso Menoncello
Italy will be pleased with their campaign, even though they slipped up against Wales in the final round.
Wins over Scotland and England, including their first ever victory against the latter, underline what was a highly successful tournament.
At the centre of that progress was Tommaso Menoncello. Although he played mostly at inside centre, he takes the outside centre position here due to the strength of options at 12.
Powerful with the ball in hand, he ranked among the top five for several carrying statistics and finished fourth for total jackals, highlighting both his defensive influence and attacking threat.
12 Stuart McCloskey
McCloskey has been central to everything Ireland produced in this Six Nations.
Losing the title in the final minute will hurt, but there were still many positives from a campaign that improved as it went on.
With six try assists, the joint highest in the tournament, along with the third most carries, the second most defenders beaten and the fifth most offloads, his influence is clear.
It is easy to see why he earns a place in this team.
11 Cheslin Kolbe
Few players divide opinion like Cheslin Kolbe, yet when the pressure is highest his impact is undeniable.
While discussion sometimes surrounds his club form in Japan, his Test performances offer a far clearer measure of his quality.
A two time World Cup winner, he has scored in finals, troubled the British and Irish Lions and delivered defining moments for South Africa.
Whether given space or forced under pressure, Kolbe consistently rises to the occasion.
10 Finn Russell
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu might have something to say about this choice.
Creativity at fly half rarely arrives with such control. Once seen purely as a maverick, Finn Russell has developed into a commanding playmaker who blends imagination with authority.
Over the summer he became the Lions’ main creative influence, shaping their most dangerous attacks with clarity and ambition.
Whether leading Bath or steering Scotland through tight Tests, he can shift momentum with a single decision.
At his best, Russell does more than manage a match. He controls its rhythm and direction, as he demonstrated during the recent Six Nations.
9 Antoine Dupont
Even a long spell out with an ACL injury has not diminished Antoine Dupont’s status as rugby’s benchmark.
His list of achievements is remarkable, including World Rugby Player of the Year in 15s in 2021 and in Sevens in 2024, three Six Nations Player of the Tournament awards, Olympic gold and numerous domestic and European titles.
The only player to win both of rugby’s major global individual awards, he represents sustained excellence across formats.
Five Top 14 titles and two European Cups underline his dominance at club level.
