Italy centre Ivan Francescato died yesterday of a sudden and mysterious illness, the Italian Rugby Federation said. The 31-year-old Benetton Treviso player felt strong pains in his head and chest shortly after returning home on Monday night. He started vomiting violently and died in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Francescato, the youngest of six rugby-playing brothers, played 38 times for Italy at centre and scrum-half.