The new season of Zebra Parma is something of a puzzle. On the one hand, anything better than bottom of the table will be an improvement for a side that has finished 16th in all but one of the last five seasons. On the other hand, a leaky defense and a far from productive attack will make the climb up the league difficult. At least, in Massimo Brunello, they have an impressive head coach.
Below is the rule of thumb for Zebra Parma’s chances this year. The world of rugby will also have season previews for everyone United Rugby Championship and Gallagher PREM side in time for the big kickoff.
Zebra Parma
After finally climbing off the bottom in Massimo Brunello’s debut campaign, last year proved to be a lackluster follow-up for Zebre. The Parma outfit have only won twice against the departure of big names Danilo FischettiAndrea Zambonin and Gerónimo Prisciantelli bit.
Consistency, clarity and cohesion were lacking, especially in defense where 85 attempts were dispatched. In attack, only Benetton scored fewer tries than Zebre’s 43.
Tommaso Allan will bring a calming head to the backfield, but in too many areas Zebra lack quality and depth. The signing of the four Padova players backs up club president Giovanni Fava’s claim that Zebre is a “training franchise that offers space for Italian talent”. Brunello is a great operator, but he is required to make straw bricks.
A key player
Lorenzo Pani, 24, has all the tools to become an outstanding defender. Allan will be an enviable guide alongside him on the field, where game management can still be a challenge for the patient Pani, whose brain sometimes lags behind his legs.
In the pack, No. 8 David Odiase will fancy his chances of breaking into the Italy line-up. Muhamed Hasa brings strength and positional versatility to the front row alongside the always impressive whore Tommaso di Bartolomeo.
Lorenzo Pani is an exciting talent at full-back (Alessandro Levati/Getty Images)
One to watch
It may seem odd to tag the 29-year-old Argentine here, but many underestimate the impact Bautista Stavila has in Zebre’s back row.
With her bone-chilling, goal-keeping and limp-like ability on the ball, She is the heart of this team. If Brunello can get the best out of himself, Odiase and Samuele Locatelli, the rebuild can start from the back row.
Trainer box
Roberto Santamaria has joined the Italian men’s set-up, so Giampiero De Carli becomes scrum and forwards coach. Mattia Dolcetto (attack) and Aldo Birchall (defense) are other key voices.
Zebra Parma 2026-27 forecast
With Brunello not being allowed much on the way to the transfer market, Zebra Parma will do well to avoid the bottom.
Zebras Parma 2026-27 quotas
500-1
Vital statistics
Zebra Parma picked up just three bonus point tries last season – the joint lowest figure in the competition.
Italy star Tommaso Allan should be a safe pair of hands in the struggling side (Fiona Goodall – FIR/Federugby via Getty Images)
Zebra Parma signs
- Thomas Allan (Perpignan)
- Patricio Baronio (Viadana)
- Alex Mattioli (Racing 92)
- Pietro Turrisi (Racing 92)
- Francisco Minervino (Petrarca Padua)
- Jacopo Botturi (Petrarka Padua)
- Lorenzo Citton (Petrarka Padua)
- Sergio Pelliccioli (Petrarka Padova)
Zebras Parma ddepartures
- Enrique Pieretto (Agent)
- Gonzalo Garcia (Pau)
- Malik Faissal (Northampton Saints)
- Albert Batista (released)
- Shilo Klein (released)
- Martin Roger Farias (published)
- Guido Volpi (Viadana)
- Jacopo Bianchi (Delta Rovigo)
- Enrico Lucchin (retired)
- Luca Morrisi (retired)
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