Latest news with #SebastianNegri
CNA
10-07-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Italy make five changes for second test against Springboks
Fullback Mirko Belloni will make a first start for Italy as one of five changes to their side for the second test against South Africa in Gqeberha on Saturday, but number eight Lorenzo Cannone has been ruled out with a back injury. The inexperienced Italy side lost the first test in Pretoria 42-24, but put in an excellent second half showing against the world champions having trailed 28-3 at the break and were in contention going into the final 10 minutes. Belloni forms a back three with wings Jacopo Trulla and Louis Lynagh, while Marco Zanon and Tommaso Menoncello are the centre-pairing. Giacomo Da Re keeps his place at flyhalf, alongside number 9 Alessandro Garbisi. Hooker Tommaso Di Bartolomeo packs down in the front row with props Danilo Fischetti and Simone Ferrari either side of him, while captain Niccolo Cannone and Andrea Zambonin are the lock pairing. South African born Ross Vintcent moves from the flank to the number eight jersey in the place of Cannone, with Sebastian Negri and Manuel Zuliani the other two loose-forwards. Zimbabwe-born Negri spent much of his childhood in South Africa too and missed the first test due to injury. His return is a boost to the engine room and adds experience as the second most capped player (64 appearances) in the team behind Ferrari (65). Italy team: 15–Mirko Belloni, 14–Louis Lynagh, 13–Tommaso Menoncello, 12–Marco Zanon, 11–Jacopo Trulla, 10–Giacomo Da Re, 9–Alessandro Garbisi, 8–Ross Vintcent, 7–Manuel Zuliani, 6–Sebastian Negri, 5–Andrea Zambonin, 4–Niccolo Cannone, 3–Simone Ferrari, 2–Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, 1–Danilo Fischetti 16–Pablo Dimcheff, 17–Mirco Spagnolo, 18–Muhamed Hasa, 19–Matteo Canali, 20–Alessandro Izekor, 21–David Odiase, 22–Stephen Varney, 23–Giulio Bertaccini.
Reuters
06-02-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Italy's Negri wary of Wales backlash but embracing favourites tag
Feb 6 (Reuters) - Italy go into Saturday's Six Nations match with Wales as favourites, and while flanker Sebastian Negri welcomes the fact that for once his side are not the underdogs, he is urging caution, having learned how life can easily turn upside down. Last year, Italy had their most successful championship, and that, combined with a Welsh team on a 13-game losing streak, has made the Italians firm favourites. "I think we've got to embrace that fact, but Wales can be at their strongest when their backs are against the wall and we're expecting a really tough battle," Negri told Reuters in an interview. "People say we're the favourites and that's a new sort of tag for us but we have to embrace that. "We're in a good cycle ourselves and looking forward to a big game but you can't underestimate Wales at any time no matter how difficult a run they're on." Italy, and 30-year-old Negri, know all about difficult runs. Last year's win over Scotland was Negri's first taste of Six Nations success in his seventh campaign. "There was a feeling of relief, a lot of emotion, because I've had so many lows in the jersey, but also so many special days," Negri said. "That's a day I'll never forget and it made all the hard times worth it, and beating Wales the following week to back it up was really important." LIFE LESSONS Born in Zimbabwe, with an Italian father, Negri's family were forced out of their home at gun-point by President Robert Mugabe's armed followers and moved to South Africa. The Netflix Six Nations series, Full Contact, gave Negri an opportunity to tell his story, and he is delighted with the reaction. "Maybe my story is a little bit different, but the support and the feedback that I've been given has been pretty special," Negri said. "You go to places like Ireland or the UK and people stop and say hello or congratulate you. "I guess they have a little insight into what you're like as a person and maybe they respect you a bit more because they can see the sacrifices you go through. "In the end, you're just a normal person who throws a rugby ball around, tries to make people proud and I think people can relate to that." Those early traumatic experiences have played an important role in Negri's outlook on life, and rugby. "It shaped me as a person to live every day to the full," he said. "Seeing the way my parents and my family, after what we went through, were so positive and sacrificed a lot for us. "We're very blessed to do what we do and no matter what challenges you're confronted with, it's about how you stand up to it, be positive about it and just be the best person that you can be. "In rugby, you know you're going to get knocked down, you're going to have disappointments, but it's how you come back stronger and I take that into my rugby and into my life too." His involvement in the Netflix series gave Negri an insight into what he could do once he retires from playing, but for now, those thoughts are still a long way off. "It definitely made me consider possible options, whether that's media, event work, commentary or being a pundit," Negri said. "But I'm going to push for as long as I can and hopefully leave my jersey in a better place and leave some sort of legacy and watch this team go from strength to strength. "And I'll have fun doing that for sure."
BBC News
31-01-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Scotland will be out for revenge against Italy
Italy back-row Sebastian Negri believes Scotland will be out to avenge their loss to gli Azzurri in Rome last year when they begin their Six Nations campaign at Murrayfield on Saturday.A 31-29 loss at the Stadio Olimpico ended Scotland's title hopes in the 2024 tournament and Negri believes that will fuel Gregor Townsend's side."We know Scotland will be hurting from that," Negri said."We know they've talked about putting things right and a bit of revenge, so we've got to expect that."As well as beating the Scots, Italy drew with France and beat Wales in last season's championship and there is a feeling that after years of consistently being the weakest side in the tournament, Gonzalo Quesada's team are now ready to compete."I feel like we're in a really good cycle at the moment," Negri added."Obviously, we've been through ups and downs as a team. But I feel like this is a really good Italian team to be a part of. We can't shy away from that."And it's a different challenge for us now. With the cycle and where we are as a team, we've got to put in some performances and get some results. That's an exciting thing to be a part of."We're under no illusions. We know it's going to be a tough game. I looked at their team yesterday. I just see a really quality team there. Full of depth."You say that maybe Italy are probably in one of their better cycles, that we're a really good team. I look at Scotland and I can say exactly the same."
