Italy stalwart Andrea Masi yesterday announced his retirement from rugby after he failed to recover from an achilles tendon injury suffered during last year’s World Cup.
The 35-year-old full-back or centre won 95 Test caps for Italy and was part of four World Cup campaigns. He also made 59 appearances in Wasps colours in the English Premiership.
In a statement released by Wasps and the Italian rugby federation, Masi said: “Rugby has been at the core of my life for the past 20 years, and it’s not easy to close such an important chapter of my life.
“But I am conscious that I need to follow experts’ medical advice, and that this is the only possible way.
“Despite the recovery process progressing positively in the early stages, it didn’t heal as hoped, and it became clear I wouldn’t be able to continue playing professional rugby.
“I am satisfied that I made every possible effort to come back from the injury, but sadly it wasn’t to be. I gave a lot to the game I love, and the game gave a lot to me.”
Wasps rugby director Dai Young paid tribute to Masi, adding: “It’s hard to summarise the contribution Andrea has made to Wasps, because his impact has been tremendous in all areas of the club.
“His loyalty to stick with Wasps during the tough times – when he received numerous offers to play elsewhere – will never be forgotten.
“He is one of the most genuine and considerate characters you could wish to meet, and is someone who never shirks a challenge.
“That is what makes his enforced retirement all the harder to bear, as he has worked his socks off and done everything humanly possible to come back from the Achilles
injury.”

Oosthuizen called up as front row cover for Springboks
Prop Coenie Oosthuizen has been drafted into the South Africa camp as front row cover for the series-deciding third test against Ireland on Saturday after the Springboks suffered further injury withdrawals.
Capped 23 times, Oosthuizen comes in for Trevor Nyakane, who pulled out due to an ankle injury, with the experienced 27-year-old able to cover both the loosehead and tighthead positions. Lock Lood de Jager has also withdrawn because of a calf injury that saw him miss last weekend’s second test at Ellis Park, where the Springboks rallied to level the series with a thrilling 32-26 win. South Africa also dropped Garth April, Nic Groom and Scara Ntubeni from their squad for Saturday’s third test at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. The trio were named in an initial 31-man squad for the series but did not make it into the matchday squads for either of the opening two tests. Ireland opened the series with a first ever victory over the Springboks in South Africa when they held on for a 26-20 triumph at Newlands on June 11, despite being reduced to 14 men for an hour.