Nine Italian greats will receive a special cap to recognise the milestone of reaching 100 caps for their country ahead of Italy’s meeting with Scotland in Rome on Saturday.
The ceremony, which will take place at the Stadio Olimpico, will see the Italian centurions recognised with a second, exclusive cap to celebrate their extraordinary contribution.
Sara Barattin is the only Italy women’s player to achieve the feat, having reached the 100 international Test cap landmark against Ireland in September’s RWC qualifier.
She is just the eighth female rugby player to make 100 Test appearances, as well as the first from outside the UK, with five English stars, one Scottish and one Welsh making up the other seven.
Tamara Taylor, Rochelle Clarke, Amy Garnet, Sarah Hunter, Katy Daley-Mclean (all England), Donna Kennedy (Scotland) and Louise Rickard (Wales) are the seven other women to have reached the milestone for their country.
Barattin will be joined at the ceremony before the Scotland game by the seven of the eight Italian men who will also receive the celebratory cap for reaching 100 caps for the Azzurri.
Martin Castrogiovanni (119 caps), Marco Bortolami (112 caps), Leonardo Ghiraldini (107 caps), Andrea Lo Cicero (103 caps), Alessandro Troncon (102 caps), Mauro Bergamasco (106 caps) and Alessandro Zanni (119 caps) will all be in attendance.
Sergio Parisse, Italy’s most capped player with 142 caps, completes the nine Italian greats but the Azzurri talisman will be in action with club side Toulon this weekend.
Italian Rugby Federation president Marzio Innocenti said: “On and off the pitch, all these guys are extraordinary examples, an important component of Italian rugby.
“Athletes who with their talent and behavior have given prestige to our country and our movement.
“For FIR it is an honour to be able to welcome them all together on Saturday for the match against Scotland and celebrate their fantastic international careers together with our fans.”
After receiving the celebratory cap, before kick-off, the blue Centurions will once again descend on the lawn of the Olimpico for the national anthem.
Italy centurions
Sergio Parisse, 142 caps Martin Castrogiovanni and Alessandro Zanni, 119 caps Marco Bortolami, 112 caps Leonardo Ghiraldini, 107 caps Mauro Bergamasco, 106 caps Andrea Lo Cicero, 103 caps Alessandro Troncon, 102 caps Sara Barattin, 101 caps
