Zebre, the new Italian franchise which will compete in the Heineken Cup and the Rabodirect PRO12, have begun their summer training camp at Parma University.
Eighteen players, none of them involved in the June internationals, assembled with the club's technical staff led by Frenchman Christian Gajan. Zebre's roster currently consists of 36 players.
"We're extremely proud of the squad we've put together over the last few weeks," said Director of Rugby, Roberto Manghi. "We're still scouting to identify the last four players that will complete the Zebre roster. We're confident we will identify one hooker, one lock, one number eight and one utility back as soon as possible."
Zebre will play their first match on 2 August against Perpignan at the Aimé Giral stadium and then will take part in the "Challenge Vaquerin" against Dax on 5 August in Camares and Northampton Saints on 10 August in Milla.
Zebre squad:
Props
Matias AGUERO
Andrea DE MARCHI
Carlo FAZZARI*
Luciano LEIBSON
Salvatore PERUGINI
Luca REDOLFINI
David RYAN
Flavio TRIPODI
Hookers
Davide GIAZZON
Andrea MANICI*
Locks
Marco BORTOLAMI
Filippo CAZZOLA*
Josh SOLE
Michael VAN VUREN
Back row
Nicola BELARDO*
Mauro BERGAMASCO
Emiliano CAFFINI*
Nicola CATTINA
Filippo CRISTIANO
Filippo FERRARINI*
Scrum halves
Alberto CHILLON*
Luca MARTINELLI*
Tito TEBALDI
Fly halves
Alberto BENETTIN*
Paolo BUSO
Luciano ORQUERA
Backs
Gonzalo GARCIA
David ODIETE*
Andrea MASI
Samuele PACE
Matteo PRATICHETTI
Roberto QUARTAROLI*
Leonardo SARTO*
Sinoti SINOTI
Ruggero TREVISAN*
Giovanbattista VENDITTI*
*FIR Academy member