Italian international gets cap, aged 93!

After a 10-year search involving hours of painstaking research, Italy’s oldest surviving international Remo Zanatta has been found and presented with his Azzurri cap.

As Italian Rugby Federation nears its 100th anniversary a renewed focus has been placed on the history of the game, and it was largely down to the work of Italian rugby journalist and historian Elvis Lucchese that the 93-year-old was finally tracked down.

The twice-capped inside-centre had up until that point proved as elusive in retirement as he was on the pitch. But it turns out he was only living a few hundred metres away from Genoa’s Luigi Ferraris Stadium, where the on-field presentation took place ahead of last weekend’s game between Italy and Georgia.

Zanatta discovered rugby during his time in the Navy and is believed to be the first Treviso native to pull on the national team jersey, although most of his top level rugby was played with Rugby Roma.

He played for Italy against France and Spain in 1954, but it has taken 70 years for Azzurri No 141 to receive his cap.

Italian Rugby Federation President Andrea Duodo was delighted to be able to present the cap to him in person, along with current Italian international Tommaso Menoncello.

Speaking on the day of the event, he said: “It is a privilege for the Federation to be able to welcome Mr. Zanatta and his family on Sunday in Genoa and, for me personally, a great emotion to be able to give him his cap 70 years after his international debut.

“We are approaching the celebration of the hundred years of our Federation and maintaining a strong bond with our history and our roots, honouring those who have contributed and given prestige to our country and to the national team jersey, is essential to keep alive every day the values on which our movement is founded.”