Zebre

Zebre (Italian pronunciation: [ˈdzɛbre], meaning "Zebras"), are an Italian professional rugby union team competing in the Pro14 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]

For the car, see Le Zèbre. For the writer, see Zdenka Žebre.
Zebre
UnionItalian Rugby Federation
Nickname(s)The XV of the North-West («il XV del Nord-Ovest»)
Founded1973 (as Invitational Team – disbanded in 1997)
2012 (2012) (as Professional Team)
LocationParma, Italy
Ground(s)Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma (Capacity: 5,000)
PresidentAndrea Dalledonne
Coach(es)Michael Bradley
Captain(s)Tommaso Castello
League(s)Pro14
2018-197th (Conference A)
1st kit
2nd kit
Official website
www.zebrerugbyclub.it

Zebre, 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]

History

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.[9] Agreement was reached in early March 2010 to allow Italian teams entry to the Celtic League in time for the 2010–11 season.[10] 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.[11]

After initial applications in 2010, it was proposed that Aironi would join along with a new team, Praetorians Roma,[12] 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.[13] However, Pretorians Roma failed to satisfy the evaluators of their financial muscle and Benetton Treviso were nominated in their place.[14]

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.[15] 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.[16] In June 2012, it was announced that the new franchise would be known as Zebre and based in Parma.[17]

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,[18] 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.

Honours

Current standings
2019–20 Pro14 Table
Conference A
Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TBP LBP PTS
1 Leinster (Q) 131300476181+29568249061
2 Ulster 13814355252+10347337243
3 Glasgow Warriors 13706334296+3849395134
4 Cheetahs 13607342280+6248325232
5 Dragons 13508243354-11126411122
6 Zebre 132110204370-16627534216
7 Ospreys 132110165326-16117401415
Conference B
Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TBP LBP PTS
1 Edinburgh 131003358195+16344235247
2 Munster 13904352216+13643217245
3 Scarlets 13805281242+3935293237
4 Connacht 13706264291-2735396135
5 Benetton 13517280324-4432405431
6 Cardiff Blues 13607242275-3326313229
7 Southern Kings 131012204498-2942375037
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order -[19]
  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 compete in the Pro14 play-offs, and also earn a place in the 2020–21 European Champions Cup

Blue background indicates teams outside the play-off places that earn a place in the 2020–21 European Champions Cup
Red background indicates teams ineligible for European cup tournaments
Yellow background indicates the fourth-ranked eligible teams in each conference that play-off against each other for the seventh place in the 2020–21 European Champions Cup
Plain background indicates teams that earn a place in the 2020–21 European Rugby Challenge Cup.
(CH) Champions. (RU) Runners-up. (SF) Losing semi-finalists. (QF) Losing quarter-finalists. (PO) Champions Cup play-off winners. (q) Qualified for Pro14 play-offs. (Q) Qualified for Pro14 play-off semi-finals. (e) Cannot reach play-offs.

    The team

    Name history

    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.[20]

    Two other former select teams are Dogi (The Doges) based in Triveneto and I Lupi (The Wolves) based in Central and Southern Italy.[21]

    Stadium and training

    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.[22] 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;[23]
    - In the 2017–18 Pro14 season at Stadio Tommaso Fattori of L'Aquila, Abruzzo, against Dragons;[24]
    - In the 2018–19 Pro14 season at Stadio Luigi Zaffanella of Viadana, Lombardy, against Leinster[25]
    - In the 2019–20 European Rugby Challenge Cup season at Stadio San Michele of Calvisano, Lombardy, against Brive[26]
    - In the 2019–20 Pro14 season at Stadio Giovanni Mari of Legnano, Lombardy, against Munster;[27]

    Staff and coaching team
    • Director of Rugby – Michael Bradley
    • Assistant Coaches – Andrea Moretti, Fabio Roselli
    • Team Manager – Andrea de Rossi, Erick Trolli
    • Fitness coach – Giovanni Biondi, Francesco Della Ceca, Maicol Maccagnani, Giulia Barbieri, Davide Barbieri
    • Video analyst – Niccolò Gaetaniello, Flavio Ferraresi

    Official details[28]

    Players

    Zebre is mostly based on Italian players, rather than foreigners.[29] 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 .[22]

    Current squad
    For player movements before or during the 2020–21 season, see List of 2020–21 Pro14 transfers § Zebre.

    The squad for the 2020–21 Pro14 season is:

    Zebre Pro14 squad[lower-alpha 1][lower-alpha 2][lower-alpha 3]

    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 website.[31]
    1. Taking into account signings and departures head of 2020–21 season as listed on List of 2020–21 Pro14 transfers.
    2. He has a dual contract. During the season he also can play, on loan, with Top12 team Mogliano.
    3. He has a dual contract. During the season he also can play, on loan, with Top12 team Piacenza Lyons.[30]

    Permit player squad
    Zebre Permit Players squad[lower-alpha 1][lower-alpha 2]

    Props

    Hookers

    • None

    Locks

    Back row

    • None

    Scrum-halves

    Fly-halves

    • None

    Centres

    Wings

    Fullbacks

    • None
    (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 website.[32]
    1. Additional player under contract with Top12 team Calvisano.
    2. Additional player under contract with Top12 team Fiamme Oro.

    Selected former players

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

    Season records

    Pro12
    Season Pos Played Won Drawn Lost Bonus Points
    2012–1312th2200221010
    2013–1412th225215529
    2014–1512th223019315
    2015–1611th225017424
    2016–1712th223019719

    Pro14
    Season Conference Pos Played Won Drawn Lost Bonus Points
    2017–18Conference A7th217014836
    2018–19Conference A7th213018719
    2019–20Conference A7th000000

    European Rugby Challenge Cup
    Season Pool/Round Pos Played Won Drawn Lost Bonus Points
    2014–15Pool 53rd620408
    2015–16Pool 42nd6303113
    2017–18Pool 33rd610548
    2018–19Pool 43rd6303214
    2019–20Pool000000

    Heineken Cup / European Rugby Champions Cup
    Season Pool/Round Pos Played Won Drawn Lost Bonus Points
    2012–13Pool 34th600611
    2013–14Pool 34th600600
    2016–17Pool 24th600600

    See also

    References
    1. "Zebras to take over from Aironi - The Irish Times - Thu, Jun 07, 2012". The Irish Times. 2012-06-07. Retrieved 2012-11-02.
    2. "Italian side Aironi to pull out of Pro12 after their licence is revoked". BBC Sport. 2012-04-06.
    3. "Italy announces new club". Ercrugby.com. 2012-06-07. Retrieved 2012-11-02.
    4. "Zebre will replace Aironi for Italy - RTÉ Sport". Rte.ie. 2012-06-07. Retrieved 2012-11-02.
    5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-08-20. Retrieved 2012-06-07.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
    6. "London Wasps sign Italy back Andrea Masi from Aironi". Bbc.co.uk. 2012-07-10. Retrieved 2012-11-02.
    7. http://www.zebrerugby.eu/io-ci-sono-nasce-la-comunita-della-franchigia-delle-zebre-rugby/
    8. "Zebre Family".
    9. "Peter Bills: Italian fury at 'insult' after Magners League snub". Independent.ie. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
    10. "RTÉ Sport: Italian teams to join Magners League". Rte.ie. 2010-03-08. Archived from the original on 2010-04-13. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
    11. Roberts, Gareth (2009-03-21). "Wales 15-17 Ireland". BBC News. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
    12. "Aironi and Praetorians set for Magners League | Live Rugby News | ESPN Scrum". Scrum.com. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
    13. "International Rugby Union | Italy Rugby Union News". Planet Rugby. 2009-07-21. Archived from the original on 2011-09-28. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
    14. "Italians' bid to join the League not a done deal". The Irish Times. 2009-11-11. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
    15. "Italian side Aironi to pull out of Pro12 after their licence is revoked". Bbc.co.uk. 2012-04-06. Retrieved 2012-11-02.
    16. "Tournaments | Magners League | Aironi | Viadana's Pro12 bid rejected". Planet Rugby. Archived from the original on 2012-06-04. Retrieved 2012-11-02.
    17. "Rugby Union News | New PRO12 team to be called Zebras". Planet Rugby. Retrieved 2012-11-02.
    18. "Home".
    19. Competition Rule 3.5 "Summary of Key Rules". Pro14. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
    20. "Le Zebre battono i Barbarians".
    21. Nauright, John (2012-04-06). Sports around the World: History, Culture, and Practice [4 volumes]: History, Culture, and Practice. ISBN 9781598843019.
    22. "Heineken Champions Cup".
    23. "Zebre 22 - 41 Leinster Rugby". Pro12. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
    24. "All'aquila le Zebre Battono I Dragons 34-32 Davanti AI 6000 del Fattori". 2018-04-14.
    25. "Quattro Mete non Bastano Alle Zebre Rugby, Superate 24 a 40 Allo Stadio Zaffanella di Viadana". 2019-02-16.
    26. "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". 2019-12-07.
    27. "AL MILANO RUGBY WEEK È FESTA SOLO A METÀ: IL MUNSTER PASSA 28 A 0 ALLO STADIO GIOVANNI MARI". 2020-02-21.
    28. https://www.zebrerugbyclub.it/fabio-roselli-e-andrea-moretti-nuovi-assistenti-allenatori-delle-zebre/
    29. "Tournaments | Magners League | Aironi | French coach for new Italian Pro12 team". Planet Rugby. Archived from the original on 2013-11-09. Retrieved 2012-11-02.
    30. https://www.zebrerugbyclub.it/litalo-sudafricano-masselli-ultimo-rinforzo-per-la-rosa-2019-20-delle-zebre/. Missing or empty |title= (help)
    31. "Archivi La Squadra". Zebre Rugby Club. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
    32. "LE ZEBRE RUGBY DANNO IL BENTORNATO A CINQUE PERMIT PLAYERS PROVENIENTI DAL MASSIMO CAMPIONATO ITALIANO" (in Italian). Zebre. 17 June 2020. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
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