Squad Overhaul and Transfer Market Moves
Walking into the 2025‑26 campaign, the Italian side has reshaped its roster like never before. The most eye‑catching arrivals are Francesco Ruffolo from Colorno, French‑trained centre David Odiase from Oyonnax, and versatile back Giulio Bertaccini, who earned a reputation for breaking tackles at Valorugby Emilia. Adding to that, Albert Einstein Batista and Mirko Belloni bring grit from the domestic league, while Samuele Locatelli’s experience at Viadana gives depth on the wing.
High‑profile signings also include scrum‑half Martin Roger Farias, who impressed in the Italian Super Cup with Viadana, and forward Alessandro Ortomina, fresh from a tough season at Perpignan. The club secured Marco Zanon from Benetton, hoping his line‑out expertise will shore up the second row, and Argentine flanker Franco Carrera, a former Pampas XV stalwart, adds physicality to the back‑row. Together, these moves signal a clear intent: build a squad that can compete on several fronts.
Departures have been equally notable. Lock Danilo Fischetti’s move to Northampton Saints and Italy captain Andrea Zambonin’s switch to Exeter Chiefs leave a leadership void. Prop Luca Bigi’s return to Valorugby Emilia and centre Luca Andreani’s release further thin the front‑row options. The exits of Fetuli Paea (Dragons), Gerónimo Prisciantelli (Racing 92) and several others mean the new players will need to hit the ground running.
Season Schedule, Current Form and Outlook
The URC calendar is unforgiving. Zebre Parma opens home against the DHL Stormers on 18 October, a match that will test the new back‑line’s speed against South African firepower. A week later, the squad faces a daunting trip to Leinster’s Trailfinders Sports Club, a test of stamina and set‑piece precision.
Mid‑season fixtures bring familiar rivals. The November clash with Cardiff Rugby at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi offers a chance to rack up points before the holiday sprint against Benetton Rugby – first away on 20 December, then a return home a week later. Those games are crucial; they double as a barometer for how the new signings are adapting.
January brings the Scottish challenge: an away game at Scotstoun against Glasgow Warriors on 3 January followed by a home showdown on 24 January. The early season run also includes a test against the Ospreys on 11 October and the Emirates Lions on 5 October, matches that provide a mix of high‑tempo Southern Hemisphere play and European tactical battles.
As of the latest standings, the side sits 15th with two wins from nine outings. Coach Massimo Brunello has stressed the need for consistency, pointing to the Shield competition and the EPCR Challenge Cup as platforms for squad rotation and growth. The Shield pits them against Scottish clubs, offering a different style of play that could sharpen defensive structures, while the Challenge Cup promises exposure to elite European opposition.
Fans can track ticket availability on the club’s official site, with match times listed in Italian local time. With a revamped roster, a grueling fixture list, and multiple trophies to chase, the season will be a true trial of depth and determination for Zebre Parma.
Shashikiran R
September 26, 2025 AT 21:36These guys are messng up Italin rugby by hiring a bunch of random names like Einstein Batista – yeah, that sounds like a joke. If they keep chasing flash over fundamentals, they're just digging their own grave. Italy needs pride, not a circus of foreign imports. Stop pretending this is a miracle and start building a solid forward pack!
SURAJ ASHISH
September 26, 2025 AT 21:52Honestly the squad list reads like a desperate catalogue of forgotten names – nothing revolutionary and the hype is absurd.
PARVINDER DHILLON
September 26, 2025 AT 22:09Wow, the new signings could really bring fresh energy – hoping the team finds its rhythm soon 😊
It's tough juggling so many fixtures, but with supportive fans they'll pull through!
Nilanjan Banerjee
September 26, 2025 AT 22:26Behold the phoenix rising from the ashes of a dismal season, as Zebre Parma assembles a legion of so‑called saviours. The arrival of Ruffolo, Odiase and Bertaccini is heralded as a renaissance, yet the shadows of departed captains loom large. One can almost hear the echoing stadium chants, reverberating through the corridors of Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, demanding glory. Each new player carries the weight of expectation, their footsteps drafting a narrative both sublime and perilous. The schedule, a gauntlet of titans, stands as the crucible where legends are forged or shattered. October's duel with the Stormers promises a blaze of Southern fire, while the trek to Leinster's fortresses tests resolve. November's clash with Cardiff may glitter like a fleeting comet, moments before the harsh winter of the Challenge Cup descends. The Scottish sojourn, a ballet of brute strength and tactical finesse, could either elevate or debilitate the fledgling squad. Beneath the veneer of optimism, the spectre of relegation whispers, a cold wind that rattles even the most stalwart hearts. Yet, if the back‑line can synchronize, and the forwards meld like steel, perhaps the narrative will pivot toward triumph. The fans, ever vigilant, will judge not by glossy press releases but by the raw, unfiltered sweat on the pitch. In this epic, every tackle, every conversion, every missed opportunity becomes a stanza in a poem of ambition. May the coaching staff wield wisdom as a sword, cutting through the chaos. And may Zebre Parma emerge, not merely surviving, but soaring. Only time will tell if these bold moves rewrite the club's destiny.
sri surahno
September 26, 2025 AT 22:42It's no coincidence that the club's management is pushing these flashy signings while the league's hidden powers profit from the chaos. Behind the scenes, elite interests manipulate fixtures to favor certain markets, and Zebre Parma is merely a pawn in a grander scheme. The departure of Zambonin to Exeter, for instance, aligns suspiciously with undisclosed broadcasting deals. Stay vigilant, because the narrative they feed is engineered to distract from the true puppeteers.
Varun Kumar
September 26, 2025 AT 22:59Italian rugby is being sold to foreign investors, and these imports dilute our heritage. We must protect the homegrown talent before the sport becomes a cultural landfill.
Madhu Murthi
September 26, 2025 AT 23:16Look, the team needs more Italians, not a parade of overseas players 🇮🇹. If we keep relying on outsiders, we'll never rebuild a true national identity. The fans deserve authenticity, not a marketing stunt.
Amrinder Kahlon
September 26, 2025 AT 23:32Good luck, Zebre, you’ll need it.
Abhay patil
September 26, 2025 AT 23:49Really hope the new guys click fast and give the fans something to smile about the season is long but we got this stay positive and keep fighting together
Amber Brewer
September 27, 2025 AT 00:06Zebre Parma’s overhaul this season is a fascinating case study in squad building under budget constraints. From a tactical perspective, integrating three new backs-Ruffolo, Odiase, and Bertaccini-requires a clear game plan to exploit their individual skill sets. Ruffolo, coming from Colorno, brings a solid defensive lineout capability that can bolster set‑piece stability. Odiase’s French training should add a flair for off‑loading in the midfield, which may open up space for the wing pair. Bertaccini’s reputation for breaking tackles suggests he can serve as a crash ball option, especially in tight games. The forward additions, particularly Marco Zanon and Alessandro Ortomina, are essential for improving scrummaging depth. Zanon’s experience with Benetton means he knows how to compete against top‑tier lineouts, a key area where Zebre has struggled. Ortomina’s season at Perpignan exposed him to high‑intensity defensive patterns that can translate well to the URC’s physical demands. Coach Massimo Brunello should consider rotating the squad based on the congested schedule, especially before the Shield matches. Resting key forwards during the early Ospreys and Lions games could preserve energy for the crucial November fixtures. Statistically, teams that field a stable back‑row in the first half of the season maintain a higher win percentage in the latter half. Therefore, giving Franco Carrera consistent minutes early on may pay dividends when the league intensifies. Moreover, keeping an eye on the European Challenge Cup opponents will help the coaching staff benchmark progress against continental standards. In summary, the blend of experienced imports and homegrown talent offers a balanced approach, provided the coaching staff manages player workloads wisely. If these principles are applied, Zebre Parma stands a realistic chance of climbing out of the relegation zone before the winter break.
Kim Coulter
September 27, 2025 AT 00:22While the analytical breakdown is sound, one must also consider the soul of the club; without a fierce Italian spirit the tactics amount to mere paperwork. The pride of representing our nation on the field transcends metrics.
Michelle Toale-Burke
September 27, 2025 AT 00:39Totally feel you 😢! The heart and soul matter more than stats, and I’m cheering hoping the team revives that true Italian fire.
Amy Paradise
September 27, 2025 AT 00:56Hey everyone! If you’re looking for ticket info, the official site updates daily and you can also follow their Instagram for flash sales 🎟️. Also, streaming options are available on the URC app, which often offers a free trial for new users. Stay tuned and enjoy the games!