L'aquila - Flyhalf Kelly Haimona has been sent home from Italy's training camp for the Rugby World Cup because he's still not fully recovered from a broken right forearm.
The New Zealand-born Haimona was injured in March against Wales in the Six Nations.
The Italian federation says Haimona's recovery is behind schedule, preventing him from any sort of contact for another month.
Coach Jacques Brunel says, "Kelly can return to the team during the Rugby World Cup if there are the right conditions and necessity."
Haimona says, "It's a difficult day for me, seeing my dream of taking part in the biggest competition in our sport fall apart."
Flyhalf, already a weakness of Italy's, became an even bigger concern with Haimona's slow recovery. His Six Nations backup, the 48-cap Luciano Orquera, retired from internationals in June.
Tommaso Allan, with 14 caps, was still in the squad, and the uncapped Zebre No 10 Carlo Canna summoned for the first time.
Italy was in the same Rugby World Cup pool as France, Canada, Ireland and Romania.