Zebre Parma claimed a commanding 41–17 home victory over France’s US Montauban in the opening round of the EPCR Challenge Cup at Stadio Lanfranchi. The hosts controlled proceedings throughout, showing balance and accuracy across all units and repeatedly shutting down the visitors’ attacking ambitions. Their territorial dominance was underlined by five tries, including the first senior score for debutant Malik Faissal. Returning flanker Bautista Stavile was named Player of the Match.
MATCH REPORT
FIRST HALF
Zebre came out firing and, after several positive phases, pushed into the Montauban 22. The visitors were caught offside, allowing Roger Farias to open the scoring with a central penalty from 40 metres for 3–0 on nine minutes. Moments later Bosviel levelled with a penalty of his own after Bosviel had been taken without the ball, making it 3–3 on 12 minutes.
Midway through the half, the home side continued to dominate field position but struggled to generate clear threats. Carrera executed an excellent contestable kick to regain possession and set up an attacking lineout 10 metres out, but the throw was crooked and the chance went begging.
Zebre struck soon after. In broken play they recycled with control, moved the ball wide and found Faissal, who finished clinically for a try on debut. Farias nailed a tricky conversion for 10–3.
Stavile then produced the moment of the half, slicing through the French defensive line and sprinting 40 metres to score under the posts. Farias added the extras for 17–3 at 29 minutes.
Montauban mounted a final push before the interval, opting for a scrum from a penalty inside the 22. Zebre responded with a dominant shove that collapsed the French front row, ending the half with the score unchanged at 17–3.
SECOND HALF
The restart brought an immediate setback for Zebre: a mis-hit kick allowed Ahmed to pounce on a favourable bounce and force his way over. Bosviel converted to close the gap to 17–10.
Zebre replied instantly. A clean lineout platform set up a well-drilled maul that powered hooker Ribaldi over. Farias converted for 24–10 on 43 minutes.
Montauban again looked to re-establish a foothold. Sustained phases earned them a penalty and a lineout in the 22. From the ensuing play, Tuculet delivered a well-weighted cross-kick to Gade, who gathered and scored. Bosviel converted to make it 24–17 after 50 minutes.
The momentum swung back just minutes later. A Montauban handling error in midfield opened space for Stavile, whose break set up Gesi to finish. Farias converted for 31–17.
Zebre’s pressure continued to mount. Di Bartolomeo forced a turnover and the hosts kicked to the corner. After multiple attacking phases, Fusco darted down the flank for the bonus-point score. Farias maintained his perfect kicking record to extend the lead to 38–17 on 62 minutes.
Da Re added a late penalty for 41–17. Montauban pushed hard in red time to narrow the deficit, but Zebre’s defensive line held firm. Full-time: Zebre Parma 41–17 Montauban.
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TABELLINO
ZEBRE PARMA v US MONTAUBAN
Stadio Lanfranchi, Parma – Saturday 6 December 2025, kick-off 21:00
Scorers:
9’ pen Farias (3–0), 12’ pen Bosviel (3–3), 25’ try Faissal, con Farias (10–3), 27’ try Stavile, con Farias (17–3), 41’ try Ahmed, con Bosviel (17–10), 43’ try Ribaldi, con Farias (24–10), 50’ try Asaeli, con Bosviel (24–17), 57’ try Gesi, con Farias (31–17), 61’ try Fusco, con Farias (38–17), 75’ pen Da Re (41–17)
ZEBRE PARMA
15 Da Re
14 Faissal
13 Morisi (68’ Zanon)
12 Lucchin
11 Gesi
10 Roger Farias (65’ Bertaccini)
9 Fusco (64’ Prinsloo)
8 Odiase
7 Stavile (62’ Bianchi)
6 Ferrari
5 Krumov (C) (14’ Volpi) (26’ Krumov)
4 Carrera (62’ Volpi)
3 Nocera (57’ Hasa)
2 Ribaldi (56’ Di Bartolomeo)
1 Buonfiglio (53’ Franceschetto)
Replacements: Di Bartolomeo, Franceschetto, Hasa, Volpi, Bianchi, Prinsloo, Bertaccini, Zanon
Head Coach: Massimo Brunello
US MONTAUBAN
15 Larregain
14 Ahmed
13 Fonnicola (40’ Gade)
12 Popoali'i
11 Tuculet
10 Bosviel (60’ Leflamand)
9 Castel (60’ Powell)
8 Notshe
7 Ringuet
6 Coularis (56’ Viiga)
5 Kanika
4 Wilkins (C) (56’ Fifita)
3 Pomponio (53’ Simutoga)
2 Firmin (53’ Maurouard)
1 Somkhisvhili (53’ Seyrolle)
Replacements: Maurouard, Seyrolle, Fifita, Viiga, Powell, Leflamand, Gade, Simutoga
Head Coach: Sebastien Tillous Borde
Referee: Ben Connor (Wales)
Kicking: Farias (ZEB) 6/6, Bosviel (MON) 3/3, Da Re (ZEB) 1/1
Player of the Match: Bautista Stavile (Zebre Parma)