Match Preview | Zebre - Glasgow Warriors

After a spirited
performance in Dublin last weekend ultimately yielded no reward, the Warriors
will be looking for a first win in three matches when they take to the field on
Saturday lunchtime.

Despite a
100% record against Zebre over the course of their Guinness PRO14 meetings to
date, Glasgow go into the match below their opponents in the Conference A
standings, albeit with a game in hand.

Whilst both
teams will be without a group of their respective international stars, be
prepared for a highly-competitive clash when the whistle blows this weekend.

Here’s how Zebre
are shaping up ahead of kick-off:

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— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) February 28, 2021

Zebre
form guide

Michael
Bradley’s side currently sit fourth in Conference A after 13 rounds of the
2020/21 season, with four wins and nine defeats to date.

Two narrow
defeats to Welsh opposition and a blowout at the hands of Leinster preceded an
impressive 23-17 victory over the Ospreys in round four, before falling just
short in an 18-17 loss to the Scarlets just a week later.

Zebre have
had the upper hand over their Italian rivals this season, however, winning both
clashes with Benetton at the start of 2021.

Indeed the
Parma-based franchise come into the match in good form, having earned a
convincing 26-15 victory over the Dragons last weekend.

Summer
departures

One of Zebre’s
longest-serving players said his farewells to the club in the summer of 2020,
as former captain George Biagi retired from professional rugby.

Fijian duo Api
Tauyavuca and Paula Balekana led the departures the club during the off-season,
making the switch to Major League Rugby outfit Houston Sabercats.

English
flyer Charlie Walker and Italian utility back Eduardo Padovani also moved on,
joining Ealing Trailfinders and Benetton respectively.

New
arrivals

Bradley and
his coaching team looked domestically for the bulk of their summer recruitment,
with promising young fly-half Antonio Rizzi moving to Parma having come through
the ranks with Benetton.

Back-rower Iacopo
Bianchi, winger Giovanni D’Onofrio and prop Matteo Nocera all linked up with
the club from Fiamme Oro, the official Italian police representative side.

Another to
strengthen the back-row was Charles Alamailo, who joined the club after
impressing for Southland in New Zealand’s Mitre10 Cup.

Ones to
watch

Having
caused chaos last weekend, the Warriors defence will be mindful to keep an eye
on Pierre Bruno should the winger be selected for Saturday’s clash. A strong
runner with impressive top-end speed, the Genoa-born man is a potent threat
with ball in hand.

When Zebre
play well, it’s often the case that Josh Renton has had a hand to play. The New
Zealander provides sharp service from scrum-half, as well as keeping defences
on their toes around the breakdown.

Up front, the
29-year-old Mick Kearney has been an imposing figure in the Zebre engine room
ever since arriving in Parma in 2019. The former Connacht and Leinster
second-rower is a physical ball-carrier, in addition to making life difficult
at the lineout.

Previous
Encounters

It was a try-fest
at Scotstoun when the two sides last met on Valentine’s Day in 2020, as Glasgow
Warriors ran in eight tries in a 56-24 victory over their Italian opponents.

George Horne
and Mesu Dolokoto – on his debut – both crossed for a brace, with Matt
Fagerson, DTH van der Merwe, Thomas Gordon and a penalty try completing the try-scorers.

The Warriors
also showed their attacking flair on their most recent visit to Parma, crossing
the whitewash for five tries in November 2019.

Once more
Horne was on hand to dot down for a double, with Adam Hastings, Ratu Tagive and
Nick Frisby also on hand to touch down in a 31-7 win.

Match
officials

Andrea
Piardi will take charge of Saturday lunchtime’s clash, the Italian’s 12^th
Guinness PRO14 fixture as referee.

Compatriots
Matteo Liperini and Clara Munarini will be on hand as assistant referees,
whilst Stefano Penne takes the role of Television Match Official.