Ulster Rugby vs Zebre

TONIGHT’S OPPOSITION

Zebre Rugby are ready to be part of a key season of Guinness PRO12

CLUB STATS //Location Parma, Italy //Founded 1973 //Ground Stadio XXV Aprile, Parma //Capacity 3,500 //Last Game Cardiff Blues (H) 26-41 (L) Sun 7 September, 17:55 //Next Game Munster Rugby (A) Fri 19 September, 19:30 //Recent Form L W W L L

It all started last Sunday, the third season of PRO12 Rugby for Zebre who completed the first round of the competition at home to Welsh side, Cardiff Blues. The summer began for the men in white and black in early July when many Italian internationals who took part in the June South Pacific tour to Fiji, Samoa and Japan and other players were capped with the Emerging Italy team in Georgia, found themselves back in the rugby city of Parma. The technical guide has remained in the hands of Andrea Cavinato, confirmed for the second season, while the forwards have been entrusted to new head coach, Victor Jimenez, former Italy U20s coach. The pre-season saw Bortolami and his teammates stay in Italy; joining a 10-day retreat in the mountains of the Apennines of Reggio Emilia in the territory of the franchise. On 800 metres of Castelnuovo ne’ Monti Zebre, have been able to work well both on the technical, athletic side of their game but also on team building. The club faced its first friendly against the Italian champions Rugby Calvisano on the field of Castelnuovo with a well deserved 42-21 victory. In the second outing in Rovigo against the finalists of the last Italian championship came their second win by 27 points to 7. Pre-season therefore provided two great challenges from a physical point of view that prepared the boys well for their 2014/15 debut in the GUINNESS PRO12 league. On Sunday, Zebre struggled to maintain their unbeaten home run against an ambitious Cardiff Blues side, led by a new Kiwi coach, Mark Hammett, who avenged the double defeat of last season by winning a balanced match in front of a large audience at the Stadio XXV Aprile in Parma.

Two Zebre mistakes were immediately exploited by the Blues who took a 14-0 lead, the men in black and white were back into the game thanks to an excellent scrummaging effort that led to the first try for the former All-Black, Leonard followed by flanker, Ferrarini. The lead did not last long thanks to a great kick from over 50 metres by Patchell, who was voted man of the match. In the second half, despite the great heat, it was a very enjoyable game which remained in the balance due to an additional three tries. One by the Italians and two by the Welsh which closed the match in favour of the guests. The Zebras have maintained the same backbone of last season, which ended with five wins and two draws. This season 12 new athletes have arrived: international lock Bernabò came from Treviso while two new South Africans have arrived from the Super Rugby franchise the Cheetahs: Ferreira and Daniller. The center Mirco Bergamasco, with 89 caps for Italy, has joined his brother Mauro in Parma ready for his debut in the GUINNESS PRO12 while some of the best young Italians are part of the roster of the club ready to do battle for a place in the line-up. The aim of the tonight’s match is to deal with one of the best teams in this tournament trying to play effective and enjoyable rugby for the many fans who will be in the stands of the newly renovated Belfast stadium for this great event. Good luck to all the players for the game and a special greeting to Ulster fans which we expect to join us in Parma in two weeks time for the return leg. We hope they enjoy the unique experience of Italian rugby on match day. Leonardo Mussini// Zebre Rugby Parma, September 9, 2014

STAFF //Coach Andrea Cavinato //Captain Gonzalo Garcia

CONTACT Stadio XXV Aprile Via San Leonardo 110/a

www.zebrerugby.eu

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www. ulster rugby.com

ULSTER RUGBY