Luca Bigi (Italian pronunciation: [ˈluːka ˈbiːdʒi] ; born 19 April 1991) is an Italian professional rugby union player who primarily plays hooker for Zebre Parma of the United Rugby Championship. He has also represented Italy at international level, having made his test debut against Scotland during the 2017 Summer Internationals. Bigi has previously played for clubs such as Valorugby Emilia, Viadana, Petrarca, and Benetton in the past.[1][2][3][4]
 Bigi representing the Italian Rugby Federation, October 2017 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 19 April 1991 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Place of birth | Reggio Emilia, Italy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 180 cm (5 ft 11 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 105 kg (231 lb; 16 st 7 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Professional career
editBigi was playing with Viadana and Petrarca Padova, when he caught the eye of the Benetton staff and signed with the Pro12 side in 2015. [5] He played with Benetton until 2018–19 Pro14 season.[6]
In 2015 Bigi was named in the Emerging Italy squad for the 2015 World Rugby Tbilisi Cup.[7]
Bigi forced his way into the starting lineup and earned his first test call up in 2017 Italy squad. In 2018, he impressed Italy head coach Conor O'Shea, in his first season of test rugby, earning 6 Test caps for his country and earned a spot in Italy's 2018 Six Nations squad. Bigi was also named in the 2019 Six Nations squad, having had 3 previous appearances.[8]
On 18 August 2019, Bigi was named in the final 31-man squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.[9]
In January 2020, Bigi was named Captain of Italy squad for 2020 Six Nations in substitution of Sergio Parisse.[10][1] He was captain until 2021 Six Nations.[11]
On 22 August 2023, he was named in the Italy's 33-man squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.[12]
References
edit- ^ a b "Luca Bigi Capitano Della Nazionale al Guinness sei Nazioni 2020: "Un Grande Privilegio Poter Guidare Gli Azzurri"". Zebre Rugby Club (in Italian). 20 January 2020.
- ^ "Il Tallonatore Azzurro Luca Bigi Primo Innesto per la Stagione 2019/20 Delle Zebre". Federazione Italiana Rugby (in Italian). 29 March 2019.
- ^ "Il Tallonatore Azzurro Luca Bigi Primo Innesto per la Stagione 2019/20 Delle Zebre". Zebre Rugby Club (in Italian). 29 March 2019.
- ^ "Luca Bigi Profile". Zebre Parma (in Italian).
- ^ "NUOVI ARRIVI: LUCA BIGI, TALLONATORE". Benetton Rugby (in Italian). 10 July 2015. Archived from the original on 26 October 2019.
- ^ "Luca Bigi passa alle Zebre Rugby dalla stagione 2019-2020". Benetton Rugby (in Italian). 29 March 2019.
- ^ "Italia Emerging: I 27 Azzuri per la Tblisi Cup". Federazione Italiana Rugby (in Italian). 27 May 2015.
- ^ "Luca Bigi". Ultimate Rugby.
- ^ "Italrugby, Conor O'Shea Annuncia I 31 Gioctori Convocati per il Mondiale". Federazione Italiana Rugby (in Italian). 18 August 2019.
- ^ "Bigi Named New Italy Captain Ahead of Guinness Six Nations". Guinness Six Nations. 20 January 2020.
- ^ "ITALRUGBY, MICHELE LAMARO E' IL NUOVO CAPITANO DEGLI AZZURRI". F.I.R. Rugby. 25 October 2021.
- ^ "ITALIA, I 33 AZZURRI PER LA RUGBY WORLD CUP "FRANCIA 2023". Federazione Italiana Rugby (in Italian). 22 August 2023.
