 On 18 August 2019, he was named in the final 31-man squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.He was sent off against South Africa in the 2019 Rugby World Cup group stages for a spear tackle on Springbok No 8 Duane Vermuelen after the whistle had been blown.Such "crass stupidity" in the words of Italy coach Conor O'Shea cost Italy the match.