Tomorrow, Saturday 27 September, at 4:05 p.m. the United Rugby Championship kicks off at the Lanfranchi Stadium, where Zebre Parma will host Scotland’s Edinburgh Rugby. The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sport. Excitement is high in Parma as the Gialloblù prepare to launch a new season, both on and off the field, full of fresh developments.
Head coach Massimo Brunello and his staff have named their lineup for the opener. The starting XV: Pani; Belloni, Bertaccini, Mazza, Gesi; Da Re, Fusco; Licata (C), Stavile, Ruggeri; Krumov, Canali; Pitinari, Di Bartolomeo, Hasa. Replacements: Ribaldi, Buonfiglio, Neculai, Ortombina, Volpi, Locatelli, Dominguez, Farias. Also included in the squad: Quattrini, Nocera, Prinsloo, Montemauri.
“We’re eager and excited to start the season at home,” said coach Brunello. “Playing in front of our fans for the opening game is a big plus. We know we’re up against a tough side, a team that reached the play-offs last year. We’ll need to stay grounded, but our aim is to be competitive in every match, stay in the fight, and ask plenty of questions of our opponents. The key will be managing the set piece and the kicking game well, and keeping them pinned in their own half as much as possible.”
It will also be the URC debut for Giovanni Fava, president of Zebre Parma’s new board. “A new season and a new adventure begin,” said Fava. “We’ve worked over the summer to build a squad that reflects the philosophy of the club’s renewed governance. Our focus is on creating a development franchise that serves Italian rugby and the wider game. It comes with risks on the competitive side, but we are clear on our mission: to build stability, value, and identity for Zebre in Parma and in Italy. We feel the responsibility, but without fear. The facilities, the players, and the coaches are here. Now we need some luck and the right mentality, shared with all those who support us. It’s going to be a challenging and exciting season. We’re ready: let’s play rugby!”