Video: O'Shea hints over Parisse future and speaks about under achieving Harlequins

Italy head coach Conor O’Shea made fans of Sergio Parisse sit up and take notice on Thursday, as he gave a hint over the number 8’s international future.

The Italy captain held off retirement after the Irishman took over from Jacques Brunel in 2016.

But now O’Shea has indicated it could be his last appearance in Dublin on Saturday.

Parisse has been widely tipped to retire after the 2019 World Cup in Japan and O’Shea didn’t damped down that speculation.

“I would be surprised if in two years time you see Sergio Parisse running out (in Dublin) after the World Cup. To go to the World Cup, but he might not go to another Six Nations in Dublin.” O’Shea said.

“So if it is his last time in Dublin cherish it, because he is a uniquely special rugby player. Maybe he’ll keep going like Brad Thorn until he’s 40 and go to another World Cup, but that’s to look at and the younger guys will filter through as time goes on.”

There was no clue as to whether Parisse would continue playing club rugby.

O’Shea spoke as he named his Italy side to face Ireland and there was no room for sentiment, omitting Ian McKinley from his 23-man squad.

McKinley who was born in Dublin and played for Leinster, before losing his sight in an eye and retiring from the game.

But the 28-year-old outhalf has battled back, returning to the game in Italy and has since played three times for his adopted country, having qualified through residency.

However O’Shea said the upcoming match at the Aviva Stadium was not about a “romantic story”.

Italy were beaten 46-15 against England, a team ranked second in the world. Now they take on a side third in the World Rugby rankings – Ireland.

O’Shea once again stated his team would focus on their performance, but having won just once in 2017, a win is badly needed, however it’s unlikely to come at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

He spoke about his former club Harlequins and believes they will return to success in the near future.

O’Shea led Quins to Premiership glory, but they currently sit ninth in the table, under the guidance of his replacement, John Kingston.

“They are so close to doing unbelievably well and I said to someone the other day I think within a year to two years, given the squad that they have together – the age profile, the recruitment that John Kingston is doing – I think they will be back in the Premiership final. They are pretty close this year, if they had been lucky enough to get their best team on the pitch. I think they are on the right track again.”