Italy’s Rugby World Cup preparations were thrown into disarray yesterday after the players went on strike in a dispute over payment of bonuses.

The Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) claimed that the players refused to practice after their financial bonuses were linked to results instead of a match-by-match scheme.

Federation president Alfredo Gavazzi said in a statement: “I’m disappointed with the stance that the athletes have taken.

“The offer that was presented is consistent with our current positioning and with agreements between athletes and federations closest to us in the rankings.

“We remain confident that, as always, common sense will prevail, and together we can give an important turning point in the future in relations between the federation and the Azzurri.”

Italy are currently 15th in the world rankings after only one Six Nations win in the past two seasons, with the FIR refusing to alter their plan of a one-off bonus given to the team depending on how they perform in the tournament.

“An initial 40-strong squad gathered for Italy’s June 14 to July 3 camp near Bolzano, though captain Sergio Parisse and talisman prop Martin Castrogiovanni were absent through French Top 14 play-off commitments.

“The Italian Rugby Federation has taken note of the willingness expressed last night [Sunday] by the players called to the rally in Villabassa with the National Team, not to take part in the training and not to wear [FIR] sports equipment until reaching an economic agreement for participation in the summer preparation and the Rugby World Cup in September in England,” read an FIR statement.

“The stance of last night does not change the will of the Federal Council — fully shared by the staff of the national team — to reach a financial settlement with the players based not on mere participation in international windows but on concrete meritocratic principles related to performance.”

Italy, coached by Frenchman Jacques Brunel, have further training camps in L’Aquila (July 12-25) and then Fiuggi, near Rome (August 2-9).

They will then face Scotland home and away then Wales in their World Cup warm-up matches in August, before lining up against Ireland, France, Canada and Romania in Pool D in September for the World Cup.