BKT United Rugby Championship | Round 1
Zebre Parma 31–28 Edinburgh Rugby
Stadio Lanfranchi, Parma – Saturday 27 September 2025
Zebre Parma opened their United Rugby Championship campaign with a dramatic 31-28 victory over Edinburgh Rugby at the Stadio Lanfranchi, sending the home crowd into raptures after a nail-biting finish.
The Italians got off to a dream start. Inside three minutes hooker Lorenzo Di Bartolomeo powered over from close range after a stolen lineout, with Da Re adding the extras. Just ten minutes later, prop Juan Manuel Pitinari crashed over for Zebre’s second, again converted by Da Re.
The game turned on 15 minutes when captain Giovanni Licata was first shown a yellow card, then upgraded to red after TMO review, leaving Zebre down a man for 20 minutes. Edinburgh capitalised immediately, hitting back with tries from McConnell and Bradbury, both converted by Healy, to level the score at 14-14.
Despite the setback, Zebre showed character. A superb turnover from Stavile launched a counterattack finished by Gesi, Da Re slotting the conversion to restore the lead at 21-14 before half-time.
After the restart, Zebre extended their advantage when scrum-half Fusco darted over on 44 minutes, with Da Re maintaining his perfect kicking record. Edinburgh refused to fold, and scrum-half Vellacott crossed soon after to cut the deficit, Healy again on target.
The match remained on a knife-edge. Edinburgh struck back through replacement Harrison five minutes from time, with Healy’s fourth conversion tying things up at 28-28. But with the clock ticking down, Zebre were awarded a penalty just inside Edinburgh territory. Replacement Farias struck the kick, which clipped the upright before dropping over, sparking wild celebrations in Parma.
Player of the Match was awarded to flanker Bautista Stavile, whose relentless work rate and impact at key moments proved decisive.
Scorers
Zebre Parma: Tries – Di Bartolomeo (3’), Pitinari (12’), Gesi (33’), Fusco (44’); Conversions – Da Re (3, 12, 33, 44); Penalty – Farias (79’)
Edinburgh Rugby: Tries – McConnell (16’), Bradbury (22’), Vellacott (49’), Harrison (75’); Conversions – Healy (16, 22, 49, 75)
Final Score: Zebre Parma 31–28 Edinburgh Rugby
Player of the Match: Bautista Stavile (Zebre Parma)
Points in standings: Zebre Parma 5, Edinburgh 2