Aironi Rugby (Italian pronunciation: [aiˈroni], "herons") was an Italian professional rugby union team competing in the Pro12 and the Heineken Cup, representing the Italian regions of Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna. It lost its status as a regional side at the end of the 2011–12 season, as the Italian Rugby Federation revoked its licence for financial reasons.[3] They were replaced by Zebre from the 2012–13 season.[4]
 | ||
| Founded | 2010 | |
|---|---|---|
| Disbanded | 2012 | |
| Location | Lombardy & Emilia-Romagna, Italy | |
| Ground(s) | Stadio Luigi Zaffanella, Viadana (Capacity: 6,000) | |
| Coach(es) | Rowland Phillips (Head Coach)[1] Andrea Moretti (Forwards) Antonio Zanichelli (Backs) Andrew Scotney (Backs)[2] | |
| Captain(s) | Quintin Geldenhuys | |
| League(s) | Pro12 | |
| 2011–12 | 12th | |
| ||
Home ground
editThe team played in Viadana at Stadio Luigi Zaffanella. It was expected that Reggio Emilia's Stadio Giglio would be used for larger games but no games required its near 30,000 capacity.
Kit
editThe team's primary kit was all black with a silver stripe. Their alternative kit was white with a silver stripe. In the Heineken Cup the players wore an all green kit.[5] Their kit was supplied by Adidas.[6]
Member clubs
editThe formation of the team was made possible by the co-operation of eight existing rugby clubs Rugby Viadana 54%, Colorno 15%, Gran Parma Rugby 10%, Rugby Parma 10%, Noceto 5%, Reggio Emilia 2%, Modena 2% and Mantova 2%.[7] Gran Parma, Rugby Viadana and Colorno have merged as a result of the formation of Aironi to form GranDucato Rugby Parma.[8] Rugby Parma and Noceto have merged to form Crociati (Crusaders) Rugby Parma.[9][10] These mergers were essential as the Super 10 (now Top12) division would have attracted far less sponsorship.
History
editAfter several failed attempts, there was doubt that a deal for Italian entry into the Celtic League would be completed in time for the 2010–11 season, with the Scots delaying support for entry until changes were made to the Celtic League management structure. In February 2010 it was announced that the planned expansion of the Celtic League was to be pust on hold. The reasons were the insistence by existing members that the Italian teams could be ejected after three years. Also the financial demands the league placed on the Italians could not be met. The existing teams said this was to cover the need to have larger squads to cover the extra fixtures and additional travel expenses.[11] Agreement was reached in early March 2010 to allow Italian teams entry to the Celtic League in time for the 2010–11 season.[12] The clubs would also be guaranteed places annually into the Heineken Cup that had previously been awarded to the two top teams in the National Championship of Excellence.
Italy had failed to make an impact in the Six Nations Championship tournament since joining 10 years earlier. This was largely blamed on the fact their best players did not have a competitive enough domestic tournament or were forced to play abroad. The fact that the Six Nations decider in 2009 between Wales and Ireland featured 42 Celtic League players out of 44 in their squads supported this notion.[13] Most Italian players played in France's Top 14. In order to ensure the new teams delivered players for the national side the Federazione Italiana Rugby put incentives in place for the new teams. The successful franchises would receive financial support from the FIR to recruit national team players at the time playing abroad and fresh home-grown talent. Signing one of Italy's top players, most of whom play abroad, would net clubs €50,000, while other lesser players, mostly plying their trade in the Italian Super 10 series (Italy's top flight league at the time), would scoop €30,000 and €20,000 bonuses.[14]
It was proposed initially that Aironi would join along with a new team Praetorians Roma,[15] but Benetton Treviso were nominated instead of Roma. Treviso and Duchi Nord-Ovest could not agree to form one club to represent the Veneto region and lost out in the first round of bidding despite the region being the traditional home of Italian rugby.[16] However Roma failed to satisfy the evaluators of their financial muscle and Treviso were nominated in their stead.[17] This was boosted by Treviso's defeat of USA Perpignan in the Heineken Cup. Roma were to be based at the Stadio Flaminio in Rome, where Six Nations matches had been staged.
2010–11 Debut Season
editAironi had a very difficult debut season. They initially struggled to compete in the Celtic League. Their coach, Franco Bernini, was sacked in November after a run of disappointing losses.[18] They suffered a number of heavy defeats but often when they did lose (particularly at home) they did so by a single score. This is evidenced by the 8 Losing Bonus points received in 22 games.[19] They finally registered their first win against French team Biarritz in December in the Heineken Cup. This was a massive shock as Biarritz had contested the previous year's final.[20] Their first Celtic League win came at home against Connacht on 26 March, which they won 25–13.[21] They finished bottom of the league in 12th.
Squad
edit- Players in bold capped internationally.
- Players with the symbol * are qualified to play for Italy on residency or dual nationality so not counted as a Non-Italian player in squad.
- Notes:
- Players in Italic joined in the winter.
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | Try bonus | Losing bonus | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 22 | 19 | 0 | 3 | 496 | 327 | +169 | 44 | 22 | 5 | 2 | 83 | |
| 2 | 22 | 15 | 1 | 6 | 495 | 336 | +159 | 50 | 25 | 5 | 3 | 70 | |
| 3 | 22 | 15 | 1 | 6 | 480 | 418 | +62 | 44 | 35 | 3 | 2 | 67 | |
| 4 | 22 | 12 | 1 | 9 | 553 | 418 | +135 | 56 | 29 | 6 | 7 | 63 | |
| 5 | 22 | 12 | 1 | 9 | 503 | 453 | +50 | 49 | 43 | 5 | 7 | 62 | |
| 6 | 22 | 13 | 1 | 8 | 479 | 392 | +87 | 37 | 33 | 3 | 3 | 60 | |
| 7 | 22 | 10 | 1 | 11 | 444 | 462 | −18 | 47 | 49 | 3 | 4 | 49 | |
| 8 | 22 | 9 | 0 | 13 | 421 | 460 | −39 | 39 | 44 | 2 | 5 | 43 | |
| 9 | 22 | 7 | 1 | 14 | 394 | 459 | −65 | 32 | 44 | 3 | 6 | 39 | |
| 10 | 22 | 9 | 0 | 13 | 374 | 502 | −128 | 29 | 58 | 0 | 2 | 38 | |
| 11 | 22 | 6 | 1 | 15 | 401 | 543 | −142 | 33 | 48 | 1 | 6 | 33 | |
| 12 | 22 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 247 | 517 | −270 | 21 | 52 | 0 | 8 | 12 | |
| Correct as of 7 May 2011 | |||||||||||||
| 4 September 2010 19:30 |
| (1 BP) Munster | 33 – 17 | |
| Report |
| Musgrave Park Attendance: 8,426 Referee: Graham Knox |
| 11 September 2010 19:05 |
| (1 BP) Aironi | 15 – 22 | |
| Report |
| Stadio Luigi Zaffanella Attendance: 4,453 Referee: Stefano Penne |
| 17 September 2010 20:05 |
| (1 BP) Scarlets | 49 – 10 | |
| Report |
| Parc y Scarlets Attendance: 6,123 Referee: John Lacey |
| 25 September 2010 18:30 |
| (1 BP) Ospreys | 38 – 6 | |
| Report |
| Liberty Stadium Attendance: 7,289 Referee: Andy Macpherson |
| 23 October 2010 18:30 |
| Newport Gwent Dragons | 36 – 5 | |
| Report |
| Rodney Parade Attendance: 5,033 Referee: Andrew McMenemy |
| 29 October 2010 19:05 |
| Aironi | 3 – 20 | |
| Report |
| Stadio Zaffanella Attendance: 2,900 Referee: Graham Knox |
| 27 November 2010 19:05 |
| Aironi | 17 – 34 | |
| Report |
| Stadio Zaffanella Attendance: 2,000 Referee: Andy MacPherson |
| 24 December 2010 14:30 |
| Benetton Treviso | 15 – 10 | |
| Report |
| Stadio di Monigo Attendance: 3,500 Referee: Carlo Damasco |
| Team | P | W | D | L | Tries for | Tries against | Try diff | Points for | Points against | Points diff | TB | LB | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 16 | 9 | +7 | 140 | 86 | +55 | 4 | 2 | 22 | |
| 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 8 | +7 | 145 | 93 | +52 | 2 | 0 | 22 | |
| 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 20 | 8 | +12 | 147 | 108 | +39 | 3 | 3 | 14 | |
| 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 30 | −26 | 65 | 211 | −146 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 8 October 2010 19:30 |
| Ulster | 30 – 6 | |
| Try: Trimble 21' m Humphreys 44' m Danielli 60' c Pienaar 67' c Con: Pienaar (0/2) Humphreys (2/2) Pen: Pienaar (2/3) 2', 39' | Report | Pen: Mercier (2/3) 5', 17' |
| Ravenhill, Belfast Attendance: 7,777 Referee: Chris White (England) |
| 16 October 2010 14:30 |
| Aironi | 6 – 22 | |
| Pen: Mercier (2/2) 21', 54' | Report | Try: Biggs 12' m Carraro 23' m Abendanon 36' c Watson 67' m Con: Barkley (1/4) |
| Stadio Luigi Zaffanella, Viadana Attendance: 4,000 Referee: John Lacey (Ireland) |
| 11 December 2010 14:30 |
| Aironi | 28 - 27 | |
| Try: Marshall 38' m Toniolatti 48' c Pratichetti 63' c Con: Tebaldi (2/3) Pen: Tebaldi (2) 3', 31' Drop: J. Laharrague 78' | Report | Try: Terrain 7' m Ngwenya 16' c Balshaw 42' m Gimenez 58' c Con: Yachvili (2/4) Pen: Yachvili 73' |
| Stadio Luigi Zaffanella Attendance: 3,000 Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (Ireland) |
| 17 December 2010 19:00 |
| Biarritz Olympique | 34 - 3 | |
| Try: Bosch 10' c Penalty try 22' c Ngwenya 46' c August 56' c Con: Yachvili (4/4) Pen: Yachvili (2/2) 2', 16' | Report | Pen: Bocchino (1/2) 60' |
| Parc des Sports Aguiléra Attendance: 6,816 Referee: Andrew Small (England) |
| 15 January 2011 14:30 |
| Bath | 55 – 16 | |
| Try: Biggs (2) 9' m, 27' c Watson (2) 20' c, 77' c Banahan (4) 29' c, 53' c, 58' c, 70' m Con: Barkley (6/8) Pen: Barkley (1/1) 2' | Report | Try: Sole 36' c Con: Marshall (1/1) Pen: Marshall (3/3) 4', 14', 49' |
| The Recreation Ground Attendance: 10,000 Referee: Neil Paterson (Scotland) |
| 22 January 2011 14:30 |
| Aironi | 6 – 43 | |
| Pen: Tebaldi 37' Drop: Marshall 26' | Report | Try: Trimble 23' c Wannenburg (2) 41' c, 46' c Penalty try 57' c Henry 67' c Danielli 78' m Con: Humphreys (5/6) Pen: Humphreys (1/2) 3' |
| Stadio Luigi Zaffanella Attendance: 3,000 Referee: Christophe Berdos (France) |
2011–12 Final Season
edit| Aironi transfers 2011–12 | ||
| Pos | Out | In |
|---|---|---|
| PR | ||
| HK | ||
| LK | ||
| FL | ||
| N8 | ||
| SH | ||
| FH | ||
| CE | ||
| WG | ||
| FB | ||
| Coach |
Aironi again struggled in the Pro12 league and finished last. However they did record four victories, including a notable home win over defending champions Munster[36] and eventual Heineken Cup Semi-finalists Edinburgh.[37][38] In a very tough Heineken Cup group they failed to record any win, or even a losing bonus point. In March Aironi announced they were in financial difficulty. The FIR decided to withdraw their licence for the upcoming season, the death knell for Aironi.
Viadana, the primary club behind Aironi applied to take the vacant place in the Pro12 but this was rejected by the FIR.[39] In June 2012 it was announced that the new franchise would be known as Zebre, which would be based in Parma and be built around Italian players.[40]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | TB | LB | Pts | Qualification[a] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 22 | 18 | 1 | 3 | 568 | 326 | +242 | 48 | 28 | 5 | 2 | 81 | Play-off place | |
| 2 | 22 | 16 | 1 | 5 | 491 | 337 | +154 | 44 | 22 | 2 | 3 | 71 | ||
| 3 | 22 | 14 | 1 | 7 | 489 | 367 | +122 | 45 | 27 | 5 | 4 | 67 | ||
| 4 | 22 | 13 | 4 | 5 | 445 | 321 | +124 | 34 | 23 | 2 | 3 | 65 | ||
| 5 | 22 | 12 | 2 | 8 | 446 | 373 | +73 | 43 | 30 | 5 | 5 | 62 | ||
| 6 | 22 | 12 | 0 | 10 | 474 | 424 | +50 | 53 | 41 | 5 | 3 | 56 | ||
| 7 | 22 | 10 | 0 | 12 | 446 | 460 | −14 | 43 | 45 | 5 | 5 | 50 | ||
| 8 | 22 | 7 | 1 | 14 | 321 | 433 | −112 | 27 | 36 | 0 | 7 | 37 | ||
| 9 | 22 | 7 | 1 | 14 | 370 | 474 | −104 | 27 | 41 | 1 | 5 | 36 | ||
| 10 | 22 | 7 | 0 | 15 | 419 | 558 | −139 | 41 | 57 | 3 | 5 | 36 | ||
| 11 | 22 | 6 | 1 | 15 | 454 | 588 | −134 | 42 | 65 | 2 | 4 | 32 | ||
| 12 | 22 | 4 | 0 | 18 | 289 | 551 | −262 | 22 | 54 | 1 | 5 | 22 |
Rules for classification: If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:[41]
- number of matches won;
- the difference between points for and points against;
- the number of tries scored;
- the most points scored;
- the difference between tries for and tries against;
- the fewest red cards received;
- the fewest yellow cards received.
(C) Champions; (F) Lost in the final; (SF) Lost in the semi-finals
Notes:
- ^ Qualification for the Heineken Cup is based on each country's allocation, i.e. three highest-ranked Irish teams, three highest-ranked Welsh teams, both Italian teams and both Scottish teams. Because Leinster won the 2012 Heineken Cup Final, Ireland earned an extra Heineken Cup place, which will go to Connacht. Aironi were denied a licence for the 2012–13 season due to financial issues; the newly established Zebre side replaced Aironi in the Pro12 and Heineken Cup.
Squad 2011–12 - Final Season
edit[42] Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.
|
|
**World Cup Cover
Transfers
editPlayers Out 2012–2013
editAlberto de Marchi to
Newcastle[43]
Narbonne[48]
Nick Williams to
Ulster
Frans Viljoen to
- Matías Agüero to
- Andrea de Marchi to
- Salvatore Perugini to
- Tommaso D'Apice to
- Antonio Denti to
- Marco Bortolami to
- Quintin Geldenhuys to
- Nicola Cattina to
- Filippo Ferrarini to
- Tito Tebaldi to
- Luciano Orquera to
- Gilberto Pavan to
- Matteo Pratichetti to
- Roberto Quartaroli to
- Giovanbattista Venditti to
- Alberto Benettin to
- Paolo Buso to
- Ruggero Trevisan to
- Naas Olivier to
References
edit- ^ Roberts, Gareth (29 April 2010). "BBC Sport - Rugby Union - Italy beckons for defence coach Rowland Phillips". BBC News. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ^ "Rugby Union Tournaments | RaboDirect PRO12". Planet Rugby. Archived from the original on 10 September 2012. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ^ "Italian side Aironi to pull out of Pro12 after their licence is revoked". BBC Sport. 6 April 2012.
- ^ "Zebre will replace Aironi for Italy". RTÉ News. 7 June 2012.
- ^ "European Club Rugby : Aironi Rugby unveil new jerseys". www.ercrugby.com. Archived from the original on 29 July 2010.
- ^ "Adidas kit out 'All Black' Aironi". Ruggavibe.com. 22 July 2010. Archived from the original on 24 July 2012. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ^ "Rugby Union News, Live Rugby Scores, Results & Fixtures". Planet Rugby. Archived from the original on 26 September 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ^ "Super 10 - E alla fine fu GranDucato Parma Rugby - Rugby 1823". Rugby1823.blogosfere.it. Archived from the original on 8 March 2012. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ^ "Rugby Parma-Noceto, la storia infinita". Sport Parma. 12 June 2010. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ^ "La Fusione tra Rugby Parma e Noceto: sintomo di un'epoca". Guide.supereva.it. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ^ Peter Bills (2 February 2010). "Italian fury at 'insult' after Magners League snub - Magners League, Rugby". Independent.ie. Independent News and Media. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ^ "Italian teams to join Magners League". RTÉ Sport. 8 March 2010. Archived from the original on 13 April 2010. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ^ Roberts, Gareth (21 March 2009). "Wales 15-17 Ireland". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ^ "Aironi, Praetorians gets Italian pick". Rugby365. 18 July 2009. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ^ "Aironi and Praetorians set for Magners League". Scrum.com. ESPN. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ^ "Italy Rugby Union News". Planet Rugby. 21 July 2009. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ^ "Italians' bid to join league not a done deal". The Irish Times. 3 November 2009. Archived from the original on 18 October 2012. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ^ "RTÉ Sport: Phillips named new Aironi coach". Rte.ie. 8 November 2010. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ^ "RaboDirectPRO12 : Match Centre : Competition Table". Magnersleague.com. 15 August 2011. Archived from the original on 16 October 2010. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ^ + dateCreated + (11 December 2010). "Rugby Union News | Match Report | Aironi Rugby v Biarritz - 11th December 2010". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ^ "RaboDirectPRO12 : Match Centre : Fixtures & Results : Fixtures List". Magnersleague.com. 3 March 2009. Archived from the original on 18 September 2009. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ^ "Northlondon-today.co.uk".
- ^ "Libero Sport". Archived from the original on 23 September 2017. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
- ^ "Planet Rugby | Rugby Union News, Live Rugby Scores, Results & Fixtures | Perugini next to return to Italy". www.planetrugby.com. Archived from the original on 24 April 2010.
- ^ "Aironi Rugby, si prospettano altri due innesti". 9 June 2010.
- ^ "Yahoo Sport- Il Sito Dove Seguire i Grandi Eventi di Sport".
- ^ http://www.sportparma.com/rugby_sport_parma/5785-Confermato-Nick-Williams-degli-Aironi.html[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Il rugbymercato delle celtiche" [The Celtic rugby market]. rugbylist.it (in Italian). 6 May 2010.
- ^ "Aironi Rugby, ingaggiato Ludovic Mercier | Rugby CS". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
- ^ "Rugbymercato - E' ufficiale: Pizarro vola dagli Aironi". Archived from the original on 6 August 2014. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
- ^ "L'Apertura romana vola via". Archived from the original on 25 December 2011. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
- ^ "Planet Rugby | Rugby Union Tournaments | Magners League | Demas heads for Italy". www.planetrugby.com. Archived from the original on 5 June 2010.
- ^ "Rugby, colpo degli Aironi". 7 June 2010.
- ^ "Gli Aironi ingaggiano l'estremo francese Julien Laharrague". 10 June 2010.
- ^ "Robertson e mondiali vari | Rugby CS". Archived from the original on 19 October 2018. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
- ^ "Planet Rugby | Tournaments | Magners League | Aironi | Aironi claim scalp of Munster". www.planetrugby.com. Archived from the original on 9 May 2012.
- ^ "Planet Rugby | Tournaments | Magners League | Aironi | Aironi edge past Edinburgh". www.planetrugby.com. Archived from the original on 9 May 2012.
- ^ "Rugby Live Centre". www.planetrugby.com. Archived from the original on 6 June 2013.
- ^ "Planet Rugby | Tournaments | Magners League | Aironi | Viadana's Pro12 bid rejected". www.planetrugby.com. Archived from the original on 4 June 2012.
- ^ "Rugby News Archives". www.planetrugby.com. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013.
- ^ Competition Rule 3.5 "Summary of Key Rules". Pro12. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
- ^ "Rugby - Team details Aironi - Squad". Itsrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ^ "Planet Rugby | Tournaments | Magners League | Aironi | del Fava off to Newcastle". www.planetrugby.com. Archived from the original on 4 June 2012.
- ^ "Planet Rugby | Rugby Union Tournaments | Aviva Premiership | Romano signs for Saracens". www.planetrugby.com. Archived from the original on 10 June 2012.
- ^ "Planet Rugby | Tournaments | Magners League | Aironi | Italy prop off to Wasps". www.planetrugby.com. Archived from the original on 4 June 2012.
- ^ "BBC Sport - George Biagi 'impressed' by Bristol set-up". Archived from the original on 23 June 2012. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
- ^ "Biagi signs as 14 leave Bristol". BBC Sport.
- ^ "Narbonne. Neveu (Pilier droit) et Furno (2e ligne) rejoignent le club".
- ^ "Planet Rugby | Rugby Union News, Live Rugby Scores, Results & Fixtures | Zebras name their squad for PRO12". www.planetrugby.com. Archived from the original on 4 January 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
- ^ "D'Apice completes Gloucester move". BBC Sport.
External links
edit- Official website (in Italian) (archived)
- Aironi Rugby on Facebook
- Aironi Rugby on Twitter
- Aironi Rugby official photo album at Flickr