Match Preview | Zebre Parma

A final clash in front of the Warrior Nation in the 2021/22 regular season awaits Glasgow Warriors this weekend, as Zebre Parma come to Scotstoun for a Friday night showdown in the United Rugby Championship.

With the race for the playoffs heating up across the competition, Danny Wilson’s squad will be looking to bounce back from defeat in Cardiff last time out and further their ambitions of a home knockout tie.

The Warriors currently sit in fourth place in the URC standings, within striking distance of both Munster and Ulster and looking to put some distance between themselves and the chasing pack.

An already-crucial clash is likely to take on even further significance on two fronts, with the match marking both the first fixture since the tragic death of former Glasgow winger Federico Aramburu, and the final home regular-season fixture in the illustrious Glasgow career of Rob Harley.

Here’s how the match is shaping up ahead of kick-off:

⏪ Last time Zebre Parma came to town, @jamie10dobie only went and did this ?

?️ https://t.co/Tf6Izsa5dY pic.twitter.com/swPHEXD9Jn
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) March 30, 2022

Previous Encounter

The Scottish-Italian Shield rivals have already met once in the 2021/22 campaign, with the Warriors coming away with a 17-6 victory from their visit to Parma back in October.

Sione Tuipulotu’s first try in Glasgow colours was an early contender for try of the season, with Lewis Bean also going over for the visitors in the autumnal sunshine.

Glasgow’s defensive resolve was also on full display, as Wilson’s men secured a confident victory at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.

Ones to watch

Fresh off the back of a headline-making performance in Italy’s historic win over Wales at the end of the 2022 Guinness Six Nations, Danilo Fischetti’s reputation as one of the premier loose-heads in the northern hemisphere is growing with every passing fixture. The 24-year-old’s scrummaging prowess is blended with his strength at the breakdown, acting like an additional flanker at the ruck.

Back-rower Renato Giammarioli has been a fixture in the Zebre Parma squad ever since fully breaking into the professional setup in the 2017/18 campaign, providing a dynamic ball-carrying presence at the base of the scrum. Capped five times by the Azzurri, the 27-year-old remains a key component of his club’s game plan.

Having made his senior international debut in the 2021 Autumn Nations Series, winger Pierre Bruno is finally getting the opportunity to transfer his club form to the international arena. Blessed with rapid acceleration and strength in contact, the Genoa-born finisher has 12 tries in his 37 appearances for the club to date.

Memorable Moment

It’s been over two years since Zebre Parma ran out in front of the Warrior Nation, and the Scotstoun faithful will hope for a performance reminiscent of their team’s display from that Valentine’s Day clash in 2020.

In total, the home side ran in eight tries for a 56-24 victory, with George Horne and Mesu Dolokoto – on his debut – both crossing for a brace of scores.

DTH van der Merwe, Matt Fagerson and Thomas Gordon also crossed the whitewash, alongside a penalty try awarded for a high tackle on Horne the younger.

Match Officials

Adam Jones takes charge of Friday night’s match, with the Welshman refereeing his 15^th fixture in the competition.

David Sutherland and Graeme Ormistion will be on the touchlines as the assistants, as Sam Grove-White serves as the Television Match Official.

How to watch

Tickets are still available for the club’s final home match of the regular season – click here to secure your seat today!

Those watching from further afield can follow the action on Premier Sports 1 and URC.tv, as well as through our Live Match Centre at glasgowwarriors.org.