Rome (AFP)
Luca Bigi, hooker of the Zebre Parma franchise, was chosen as captain of the XV of Italy during the next Six Nations Tournament and will therefore take over from Sergio Parisse, announced the Italian Federation on Monday.
Bigi is 28 years old and has 24 caps with Italy. He joined Zebre this season, after four years at Benetton Treviso, the other Italian franchise engaged in Pro14.
"I am very moved. It is a new adventure ahead of me and I am very happy to represent this team and my country," he said Monday at a press conference in Rome.
"It is a privilege to be able to guide the + Nazionale +, especially when passing after extraordinary champions like Parisse, Ghiraldini, Castrogiovanni, Geldenhuys or Troncon", he added, quoted in a press release from the federation.
Bigi will effectively replace Sergio Parisse, Italian rugby legend with 142 caps, who should simply participate in one of Italy's two home matches in the Tournament (Italy-Scotland on February 22 and Italy England on March 14), before to retire internationally.
"We have chosen to have several leaders on whom we can rely and we have given the rank of captain to Luca," said Franco Smith, Italy's new coach.
"Luca has played in two franchises (Italian Pro14, Editor's note) and knows the players well. He has the respect of everyone and has shown his will, and his ability to be a leader by example on the field ", he added.
Italy, which has not won a tournament match since 2015, will play its first match of the 2020 edition on February 1 in Wales.
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