Both Irish and English interest as Zebre confirm official 2019/20 squad
Zebre have named a 45-man strong squad for the 2019/20 which includes both Irish and English players.
The Michael Bradley coached side have developed considerably from the whipping boys of previous seasons, with a strong emphasis on producing Italian qualified players for the Azzurri.
Although they finished bottom of Conference A last season, they did pick up three wins from the Pool stages of the Challenge Cup.
With an improvement in mind, the FIR controlled, Parma-based side have bolstered their squad ahead of the new season, with several relatively high profile additions from both Leinster and Harlequins.
Mick Kearney
Leinster secondrow Kearney was unlucky at Leinster where a fully stocked stable of secondrows (James Ryan, Devin Toner, Scott Fardy and Ross Moloney) meant despite fine performances for the Dublin province, he was unable to regularly see first-team action. He clocked up 47 appearances at Leinster but there is plenty left in the tank for the 28-year-old, 6’5, 18 stone 3 forward.
Ian Nagle
Another Leinster secondrow who struggled for game time, the former Munsterman’s injury-dogged career saw him fade into the background at the blues, before ultimately being loaned out to Ulster for the remainder of the 2018/19 season. He showed good form in 11 performances for the Ulstermen.
?? Cork born ?? lock @iannagle joins Italian side ?? Zebre #Rugby from @UlsterRugby ???
He started #rugby @Munsterrugby, back in Ireland @leinsterrugby after ?@Cambridge_Uni
?? "? have ambitious plans that I am excited to be a part of!"
Read all??https://t.co/O6Xw8MWGpd pic.twitter.com/cZl3UESZjc
— Zebre Rugby Club ? (@ZebreRugby) May 24, 2019
Charlie Walker
The Harlequin speedster fell down the pecking order at Harlequins despite being a regular try scorer for the West London based outfit. Capped 95 times by Quins, the former England 7s speedster scored 27 tries for the club before being loaned out to Ealing Trailfinders in the Championship.
James Elliott
In his second seasons at Zebre, Elliott, who came through Northampton Saints’ Academy, made his debut in the Premiership at the age of 18 in November 2011, scoring a try in the win at Sale. In eight seasons with the club the centre played 155 official matches, between Premiership, Anglo-Welsh Cup and European Cups.
David Sisi
Capped by Italy, Sisi is in his third season at Zebre. The 6’5, 120kg forward won 14 caps for England U20s in 2012 and 2013, and enjoyed stints at Bath and London Irish.
FULL 2019/2020 SQUAD
Looseheads
Paolo Buonfiglio
Danilo Fischetti
Andrea Lovotti
Daniele Rimpelli
Hookers
Luca Bigi
Massimo Ceciliani
Oliviero Fabiani
Marco Manfredi
Tightheads
Eduardo Bello
Alexandru Tarus
Roberto Tenga
Giusué Zilocchi
Secondrows
George Biagi
Mick Kearney
Leonard Krumov
Ian Nagle
Samuele Ortis
David Sisi
Apisai Tauyavuca
Backrow
Renato Giammarioli
Giovanni Licata
Lorenzo Masselli
Maxime Mbandà
Johan Meyer
Jimmy Tuivaiti
Scrumhalves
Guglielmo Palazzani
Joshua Renton
Marcello Violi
Fkyhavles
Michelangelo Biondelli
Francois Brummer
Carlo Canna
Centres
Giulio Bisegni
Tommaso Boni
Tommaso Castello
James Elliott
Enrico Lucchin
Wings
Paula Balekana
Mattia Bellini
Pierre Bruno
Gabriele Di Giulio
Giovanbattista Venditti
Charlie Walker
Fullbacks
Junior Laloifi
Edoardo Padovani
Comments on RugbyPass
$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
2 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
2 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to comments