Kick off
Saturday 5th October, 5pm (UK Time), Stadio Franchi, Parma
TV
DAZN, Premier Sports
Form
Zebre have not won since beating Enisei in the European Challenge Cup in December 2018, whilst their most recent victory in the Guinness PRO14 was against Edinburgh in Parma last October. The Italians recorded just one victory over a Welsh Region last season, 26-24 at home to Cardiff Blues in round 3 and have ten players in the Italy Rugby World Cup squad.
Zebre New Signings
Luca Bigi (Benetton), Alexandru Tărus (Sale Sharks), Paolo Buonfiglio (Mogliano), Junior Laloifi (Manawatu), Michelangelo Biondelli (Fiamme Oro), Pierre Bruno,Danilo Fischetti, Enrico Lucchin, Marco Manfredi (all Calvisano), Charlie Walker (Harlequins), Ian Nagle, Mick Kearney (both Leinster), Lorenzo Masselli (Lyons Piacenza)
Zebre XV: Massimo Cioffi, Charlie Walker, James Elliott, Enrico Lucchin, Pierre Bruno, Michelangelo Biondelli, Joshua Renton, Danilo Fischetti, Marco Manfredi, Alexandru Tarus, Mick Kearney, George Biagi (c), Iacopo Bianchi, Johan Meyer, Gionvanni Licata
Replacements: Massimo Ceciliani, Daniele Rimpelli, Giosue Zilocchi, Samuele Ortis, Apisai Tauyavuca, Nicolo Casilio, Leonardo Mantelli, Frederic Mori
Three To Watch
George Biagi
Zebre captain George Biagi brings a huge amount of experience to the Italian forward pack with over a century of appearances for the club. Capped 23 times by the Azzurri, Biagi – who was actually born in Scotland – has also had playing spells with Cavalieri Prato, Aironi and Bristol Bears.
Johan Meyer
Back row Johan Meyer moved to Zebre in 2015 after an impressive youth career in South Africa. A product of the Sharks Academy, Meyer was a mainstay of the Durban-based side when they played in the Currie Cup. Meyer has since gone on to play for Italy four times, after a debut against Ireland in Chicago in November last year.
James Elliott
Wing/Centre James Elliot made his name at Northampton Saints, making his English Premiership debut in 2011 and making over a century of appearances for the East Midlands side. Elliot was also part of the England Under-20s squad in 2012. The Bedford-born back had a spell at his home-town club before a switch to Italy in November 2018.
