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Zebre Parma

For the car, see Le Zèbre. For the writer, see Zdenka Žebre.

Zebre Parma (Italian pronunciation: [ˈdzɛbre], meaning "Zebras") are an Italian professional rugby union team competing in the United Rugby Championship and EPCR competitions from the 2012–13 season.[1] They are based in Parma (Emilia-Romagna), Italy. They are operated by the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) and replaced Aironi in the Pro12.[2][3][4][5][6]

Zebre Parma
UnionItalian Rugby Federation
Nickname(s)The XV of the North-West (il XV del Nord-Ovest)
Founded1973 (as Invitational Team – disbanded in 1997)
2012; 12 years ago (2012) (as Professional Team)
LocationParma, Italy
Ground(s)Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma (Capacity: 5,000)
PresidentMichele Dalai
Coach(es)Massimo Brunello
Captain(s)David Sisi
League(s)United Rugby Championship
2022–234th, Scottish/Italian Shield
(16th overall)
1st kit
2nd kit
Official website
www.zebreparma.it

Zebre Parma, often referred to as "the XV of the North-West" (Italian: il XV del Nord-Ovest), represents the four committees of Emilia-Romagna, Liguria, Lombardy and Piedmont, which includes tens of thousands of members and several clubs.[7] Since 2018, it represents also teams from others committees like Abruzzo, Lazio, Marche, Tuscany and Sicily.[8] The team was officially named Zebre Parma at the start of the 2021–22 United Rugby Championship season.[9][10]

History

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The entry of Italian teams into the Celtic League had been proposed for many years. After several failed attempts, there was hope that a deal for Italian entry would be done 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 put on hold. The reasons were the insistence by existing members that the Italian teams could be ejected after three years. Also, the financial demands that 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 will also be guaranteed places in the annual Heineken Cup, which had previously been awarded to the two top teams in the National Championship of Excellence.

Italy have failed to make an impact in the Six Nations Championship since joining in 2000. This has largely been blamed on the fact their best players do not have a competitive enough domestic tournament or are 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]

After initial applications in 2010, it was proposed that Aironi would join along with a new team, Praetorians Roma,[14] but Benetton Treviso were nominated instead. Benetton 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.[15] However, Pretorians Roma failed to satisfy the evaluators of their financial muscle and Benetton Treviso were nominated in their place.[16]

 
Former logo, used until June 2023

Aironi struggled in their first season; a surprise European Cup win over Biarritz was the only highlight of a campaign in which they managed only one Pro12 victory. At the end of a second season of struggle on the pitch, Aironi succumbed to financial difficulties off it. Their licence to play both in the European Cup and Pro12 was revoked by the Italian Rugby Federation.[17] The Federation decided against another domestic Italian club taking over the running of the licence, instead opting to maintain complete control of a planned new franchise.[18] In June 2012, it was announced that the new franchise would be known as Zebre and based in Parma.[19]

Zebre did not enjoy much success in their first season, 2012–13, finishing bottom after winless campaigns in both the Pro12 and the Heineken Cup. Although they finished the subsequent 2013–14 season bottom once again, their performance was much improved, seeing their first victory against Cardiff Blues at the Arms Park into Round 3 of Pro12,[20] in a season in which they had five league victories, with their away win in Cardiff followed by home victories against the Ospreys, Edinburgh, Cardiff Blues and Italian Rivals Treviso, who finished the season a single point ahead of Zebre. They fared somewhat worse in 2014–15, managing only 3 victories and finishing bottom of the table for the third season running. In the 2015–16 seasons they again earned five victories including back to back victories against Treviso and a bonus-point victory against the Newport Gwent Dragons. Zebre avoided finishing in last place for the first time.[citation needed]

Honours

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Current standings

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2024–25 United Rugby Championship
 watch · edit · discuss
Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts
1 Ireland  Leinster 7 7 0 0 212 92 +120 32 12 6 0 34
2 Scotland  Glasgow Warriors 7 5 0 2 215 129 +86 32 16 5 2 27
3 South Africa  Bulls 5 4 0 1 137 94 +43 19 10 2 1 19
4 South Africa  Lions 5 4 0 1 129 95 +34 16 13 2 0 18
5 Ireland  Connacht 6 3 0 3 163 160 +3 24 21 4 2 18
6 Wales  Scarlets 7 3 1 3 151 134 +17 18 19 1 2 17
7 Ireland  Ulster 7 3 0 4 170 188 –18 26 28 3 2 17
8 Wales  Cardiff 6 3 0 3 130 155 –25 20 22 3 1 16
9 South Africa  Sharks 5 3 0 2 142 152 –10 17 22 2 1 15
10 Scotland  Edinburgh 6 2 0 4 146 147 –1 19 21 3 2 13
11 Italy  Benetton 6 2 1 3 119 145 –26 14 19 2 1 13
12 Ireland  Munster 6 2 0 4 146 176 –30 23 24 4 0 12
13 South Africa  Stormers 5 2 0 3 118 127 -9 13 17 2 0 10
14 Wales  Ospreys 6 2 0 4 111 148 –37 14 19 1 1 10
15 Wales  Dragons 6 1 0 5 106 173 –67 13 24 1 2 7
16 Italy  Zebre Parma 6 1 0 5 84 164 –80 10 23 1 2 7
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:[21]
  1. number of matches won;
  2. the difference between points for and points against;
  3. the number of tries scored;
  4. the most points scored;
  5. the difference between tries for and tries against;
  6. the fewest red cards received;
  7. the fewest yellow cards received.
Green background indicates teams that are in play-off places and earn a place in the 2025–26 European Champions Cup

Pink background indicates teams that are in play-off places and earn a place in the 2025–26 European Challenge Cup
Yellow background indicates the team that won the 2024–25 European Challenge Cup and thus qualify for the 2025–26 European Champions Cup, but are not in a play-off place
Plain background indicates teams that earn a place in the 2025–26 European Challenge Cup.
Q: qualified for play-offs. H: home field advantage secured for quarter-and semi-final. h; home field advantage secured for quarter-final X: cannot reach play-offs. E: qualified for Champions Cup.

The team

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Name history

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Founded in 1973 by the former Italian national captain Marco Bollesan, Zebre (English: Zebras) was chosen, in 2012, by the Italian Rugby Federation as the new franchise's name. The name had been used by an invitational select rugby union team based in Northwest Italy that played regular fixtures between 1973 and 1997. In those 23 years, 25 matches were held against international clubs; and resulted in a high number of victories for Zebre. The opening match was an unofficial test played in Milan in 1973 against the Australian team of Randwick Sydney, who won 21–50. Zebre had a memorable 48–38 victory against the Barbarians in Brescia in June 1997.[22]

Two other former select teams are Dogi (The Doges) based in Triveneto and I Lupi (The Wolves) based in Central and Southern Italy.[23]

Stadium and training

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The team play in Parma at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, the former home ground of Crociati Parma and the F.I.R. Academy. Initially, the ground is being refurbished and expanded. Zebre usually hold their summer training camp at Parma University.[24] In its history, Zebre played also official matches in others different homegrounds:
– In the 2012–13 Pro12 season at Reggio Emilia's Stadio Città del Tricolore, against Leinster;[25]
– In the 2017–18 Pro14 season at Stadio Tommaso Fattori of L'Aquila, Abruzzo, against Dragons;[26]
– In the 2018–19 Pro14 season at Stadio Luigi Zaffanella of Viadana, Lombardy, against Leinster[27]
– In the 2019–20 European Rugby Challenge Cup season at Stadio San Michele of Calvisano, Lombardy, against Brive[28]
– In the 2019–20 Pro14 season at Stadio Giovanni Mari of Legnano, Lombardy, against Munster;[29]

Staff and coaching team

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The staff for the 2024–25 season is:[30]

Players

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Zebre is mostly based on Italian players, rather than foreigners.[31] In 2012, of the initial list of 36 contracted players, only three were ineligible to play for Italy. Nineteen former Aironi players were included in the original squad. An emphasis on youth development was also visible, with a significant portion of the squad being made up of members of F.I.R. Academy Ivan Francescato .[24]

Current squad

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For player movements before or during the 2024–25 season, see List of 2024–25 United Rugby Championship transfers § Zebre Parma.
Zebre Parma United Rugby Championship squad[a]

Props

Hookers

Locks

Back row

Scrum-halves

Fly-halves

Centres

Wings

Fullbacks

(c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped players.
* denotes players qualified to play for Italy on residency or dual nationality.
Players and their allocated positions from the Zebre Parma website.[32]
  1. ^ Taking into account signings and departures head of 2024–25 season as listed on List of 2024–25 United Rugby Championship transfers.

Additional player squad

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Zebre Parma Additional Players squad [a][b][c][d][e][f][g][h][i]

Props

Hookers

  • None currently named

Locks

Back row

Scrum-halves

Fly-halves

  • Italy  Simone Brisighella [c]

Centres

Wings

  • Italy  Albert Einstein Batista [f]
  • Italy  Filippo Bozzoni [e]
  • Italy  Alessandro Gesi [a]

Fullbacks

  • None currently named
(c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped players.
* denotes players qualified to play for Italy on residency or dual nationality.
Players and their allocated positions from the Zebre Rugby and F.I.R. website.[38][39][40][41]
  1. ^ a b c Academy player on loan to Serie A Elite team Colorno[33][34]
  2. ^ a b c Academy player on loan to Serie A team Noceto
  3. ^ a b c Academy player on loan to Serie A Elite team Viadana[35]
  4. ^ a b Academy player on loan to Serie A team Parma[36]
  5. ^ a b c Academy player on loan to Serie A Elite team Valorugby Emilia
  6. ^ a b c Additional player under contract with Serie A Elite team Colorno
  7. ^ a b Additional player under contract with Serie A Elite team Valorugby Emilia
  8. ^ a b c Additional player under contract with Serie A Elite team Viadana
  9. ^ a b Temporary loan from URC team Benetton[37]

Selected former players

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Former players who have played for Zebre and have caps for their respective country

Season records

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Pro12

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Season Pos Played Won Drawn Lost Bonus Points
2012–13 12th 22 0 0 22 10 10
2013–14 12th 22 5 2 15 5 29
2014–15 12th 22 3 0 19 3 15
2015–16 11th 22 5 0 17 4 24
2016–17 12th 22 3 0 19 7 19

Pro14

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Season Conference Pos Played Won Drawn Lost Bonus Points
2017–18 Conference A 7th 21 7 0 14 8 36
2018–19 Conference A 7th 21 3 0 18 7 19
2019–20 Conference A 6th 15 3 1 11 7 21
2020–21 Conference A 6th 16 4 0 12 1 17

European Rugby Challenge Cup

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Season Pool/Round Pos Played Won Drawn Lost Bonus Points
2014–15 Pool 5 3rd 6 2 0 4 0 8
2015–16 Pool 4 2nd 6 3 0 3 1 13
2017–18 Pool 3 3rd 6 1 0 5 4 8
2018–19 Pool 4 3rd 6 3 0 3 2 14
2019–20 Pool 4 3rd 6 2 1 3 3 13

Heineken Cup / European Rugby Champions Cup

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Season Pool/Round Pos Played Won Drawn Lost Bonus Points
2012–13 Pool 3 4th 6 0 0 6 1 1
2013–14 Pool 3 4th 6 0 0 6 0 0
2016–17 Pool 2 4th 6 0 0 6 0 0

Personnel honours and records

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(correct as of 03 Oct 2024)

Bold indicates active player

Category Player Total
Tries Dries Van Schalkwyk 24
Simone Gesi 24
Appearances Guglielmo Palazzani 161
Points Carlo Canna 717

Zebre Parma Women

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Since November 2023, the Franchise has also had a women's team, which plays official tests with Spanish team.[42]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Zebras to take over from Aironi – The Irish Times – Thu, Jun 07, 2012". The Irish Times. 7 June 2012. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
  2. ^ "Italian side Aironi to pull out of Pro12 after their licence is revoked". BBC Sport. 6 April 2012.
  3. ^ "Italy announces new club". Ercrugby.com. 7 June 2012. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
  4. ^ "Zebre will replace Aironi for Italy – RTÉ Sport". Rte.ie. 7 June 2012. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
  5. ^ "Zebre to replace Aironi in Rabo Direct Pro12 | Rugby Week News,Rugby Club Fixtures,Results". Archived from the original on 20 August 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
  6. ^ "London Wasps sign Italy back Andrea Masi from Aironi". Bbc.co.uk. 10 July 2012. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
  7. ^ "Zebre Rugby - IO CI SONO nasce la comunità dei club della franchigia bianconera". www.zebrerugby.eu. Archived from the original on 6 December 2014.
  8. ^ "Zebre Family".
  9. ^ ""Zebre Parma" e il nuovo nome promosso dalla franchigia federale nello United Rugby Championship". Zebre Rugby (in Italian). 13 October 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  10. ^ "ZEBRE PARMA: PRESENTATO IL NUOVO LOGO DELLA FRANCHIGIA DUCALE". Zebre Parma (in Italian). 10 August 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  11. ^ "Peter Bills: Italian fury at 'insult' after Magners League snub". Independent.ie. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  12. ^ "RTÉ Sport: Italian teams to join Magners League". Rte.ie. 8 March 2010. Archived from the original on 13 April 2010. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  13. ^ Roberts, Gareth (21 March 2009). "Wales 15–17 Ireland". BBC News. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  14. ^ "Aironi and Praetorians set for Magners League | Live Rugby News | ESPN Scrum". Scrum.com. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  15. ^ "International Rugby Union | Italy Rugby Union News". Planet Rugby. 21 July 2009. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  16. ^ "Italians' bid to join the League not a done deal". The Irish Times. 11 November 2009. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  17. ^ "Italian side Aironi to pull out of Pro12 after their licence is revoked". Bbc.co.uk. 6 April 2012. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
  18. ^ "Tournaments | Magners League | Aironi | Viadana's Pro12 bid rejected". Planet Rugby. Archived from the original on 4 June 2012. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
  19. ^ "Rugby Union News | New PRO12 team to be called Zebras". Planet Rugby. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
  20. ^ "Home".
  21. ^ League Format (3) "Competition Rules". United Rugby Championship. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  22. ^ "Le Zebre battono i Barbarians".
  23. ^ Nauright, John (6 April 2012). Sports around the World: History, Culture, and Practice [4 volumes]: History, Culture, and Practice. Abc-Clio. ISBN 9781598843019.
  24. ^ a b "Heineken Champions Cup".
  25. ^ "Zebre 22 – 41 Leinster Rugby". Pro12. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
  26. ^ "All'aquila le Zebre Battono I Dragons 34–32 Davanti AI 6000 del Fattori". 14 April 2018.
  27. ^ "Quattro Mete non Bastano Alle Zebre Rugby, Superate 24 a 40 Allo Stadio Zaffanella di Viadana". 16 February 2019.
  28. ^ "SECONDO SUCCESSO PIENO PER LE ZEBRE: A CALVISANO IL XV DI MICHAEL BRADLEY SUPERA 27 A 24 IL BRIVE NEL 3° TURNO DI CHALLENGE CUP". 7 December 2019.
  29. ^ "AL MILANO RUGBY WEEK È FESTA SOLO A METÀ: IL MUNSTER PASSA 28 A 0 ALLO STADIO GIOVANNI MARI". 21 February 2020.
  30. ^ "Lo staff tecnico per la stagione 2022/23". Zebre Parma.
  31. ^ "Tournaments | Magners League | Aironi | French coach for new Italian Pro12 team". Planet Rugby. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
  32. ^ "Giocatori". Zebre Parma. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  33. ^ "SAMUELE TADDEI SI UNISCE ALL'HBS COLORNO". Rugby Colorno (in Italian). 26 September 2023.
  34. ^ "Alessandro Gesi si unisce all'HBS Colorno". Rugby Colorno (in Italian). 18 October 2023.
  35. ^ "Quattro giocatori emblema del Rugby Viadana 1970 continueranno a vestirne la maglia". Rugby Viadana (in Italian).
  36. ^ "PRIMA SQUADRA: Ancora conferme nella rosa per la stagione 2024/25". Rugby Parma (in Italian).
  37. ^ "Le Zebre Parma ingaggiano in prestito il centro Filippo Drago dalla Benetton Treviso". Zebre Parma (in Italian).
  38. ^ "Academy". Zebre Parma.
  39. ^ "Quattro giovani prospetti entrano nelle Accademie di Franchigia dal 2024/25". F.I.R. Rugby (in Italian). 29 March 2024. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  40. ^ "FRANCESCO DELLA CECA: "LAVORIAMO IN CRESCENDO. ABBIAMO RITROVATO I GIOCATORI IN OTTIME CONDIZIONI"5". Zebre Parma (in Italian). Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  41. ^ "Filippo Bozzoni in prestito al Valorugby Emilia fino al termine della stagione". Zebre Parma (in Italian). Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  42. ^ "NASCE LA FRANCHIGIA FEMMINILE DELLE ZEBRE PARMA". Zebre Parma (in Italian). 16 November 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
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