30 Jun 2011

Italy lose playmaker for Rugby World Cup

7:14 am on 30 June 2011

Italy's Rugby World Cup campaign has suffered a major setback with first five Craig Gower withdrawing because of injury.

The former Australian rugby league international says he hasn't fully recovered from a knee ligament injury.

Gower underwent surgery in November but says his recovery hasn't been as good as anticipated.

Italy have been drawn in Group C at the World Cup, alongside Australia, Ireland, Russia and the United States.