Bergamasco to miss Six Nations due to injury

Italy and Racing Metro winger Mirco Bergamasco looks set to miss the 2013 Six Nations after he suffered a badly fractured kneecap in his country’s narrow defeat to Australia.

The Italian Rugby Federation have released a statement saying that Bergamasco is expected to be out of action for up to five months.

Bergamasco went down early in the second half of the 19-22 defeat to the Wallabies in a Test match at Florence Saturday amid fears of a rupture, but medics confirmed Sunday the problem was a fracture.

“Medical exams revealed no ligament injury, and the surgery was a complete success,” the FIR said.

Bergamasco went to ground with a group of players and almost immediately lifted his arm to signal an injury. He was given treatment for several minutes before leaving the pitch on a stretcher.

Prop Andrea Lo Cicero, meanwhile, left the field in the first half having suffered a blow to his throat and fractures to two ribs. The FIR said that Cicero could be out for several weeks too.