Leonardo Ghiraldini rugby player
Leonardo Ghiraldini rugby player

Leonardo Ghiraldini

26th Dec 1984 1.83m/102kg Hooker

A statistical look at Wayne Barnes' career ahead of his record-breaking 101st test match

1 year ago by Ultimate Rugby

England’s Wayne Barnes will become the most-capped referee of all time when he takes charge of his 101st test match on 12 November when France meets South Africa in Marseille in the Autumn Nations...

RANKED: The countries with the most test centurions

1 year ago by Ultimate Rugby

An elite group of 80 men's international players have reached the incredible milestone of 100 test caps.     Even some of the most talented players who have graced the rugby pitch...

Monty Ioane to debut for Italy

3 years ago by Ultimate Rugby

Former Bay of Plenty and Tasman Mako winger Monty Ioane will make his eagerly-awaited Italy debut in the Autumn Nations Cup on Saturday.   The Benetton winger became eligible last month and...

Italy change three for French Test

3 years ago by Ultimate Rugby

Franco Smith has made three changes to his starting line-up for Italy’s final group game in the Autumn Nations Cup against France in Paris on Saturday.   The Azzurri are without Jake Polledri...

No Parisse as Franco Smith names Italy training squad

3 years ago by Ultimate Rugby

Italy head coach Franco Smith has named a 33-man training squad ahead of their Six Nations return later this month.   The Azzurri kick-start the resumption of this year’s Six Nations...

Parisse to make history against Namibia

4 years ago by Ultimate Rugby

Italy coach Conor O'Shea has announced his team for the Pool B match against Namibia in Hanazono Rugby Stadium on Sunday, 22 September.   Italy have made nine changes to the starting XV who lost...

Conor O'Shea announces his 31 man RWC squad

4 years ago by Ultimate Rugby

Conor O'Shea has announced 31 players for the 2019 Rugby World Cup scheduled in Japan starting next September 20th.     Veteran Sergio Parisse, captain of Italy with 139 caps and...

Italy Name 44-man Squad For World Cup Preparations

4 years ago by Ultimate Rugby

Italy head coach Conor O'Shea has named a 44-man preliminary squad for the Rugby World Cup in Japan. The squad will meet up in Pergine Valsugana on 2 June.   The likes of Marco Fuser,...

Penaud late show gets France past luckless Italy

5 years ago by Ultimate Rugby

Italy were made to pay for failing to take their chances in the first half as France handed them a fifth Six Nations defeat this year.         Italy were unable to snatch a win...

Six Nations: Five Changes To Italy's Starting XV To Face France

5 years ago by Ultimate Rugby

Italy head coach Conor O’Shea has made five changes to his starting XV ahead of his side's final Six Nations test of 2019 against France.     Michelle Campagnaro misses the clash through...