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Both Irish and English interest as Zebre confirm official 2019/20 squad
By Ian Cameron
Zebre have named a 45-man strong squad for the 2019/20 which includes both Irish and English players.
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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 Parma 🦓 (@ZebreParma) 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.
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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.
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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
