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 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.

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