The Zebre Parma came to Dublin on Saturday 12 September to face Leinster Rugby in a preseason friendly at the Laya Arena. For the Italian team, the match was one of the key appointments of the 2026/27 preseason and an important opportunity to measure themselves against one of European rugby’s leading clubs.
The visit was also an occasion for the Italian community in Dublin to welcome the team and meet some of its players.
On Friday evening, the Italian Institute of Culture in Dublin hosted an event connected to the Zebre Business Tour, a project promoted by Zebre Parma and designed to create opportunities for meetings, networking and the development of commercial relationships through rugby. The initiative brings together the business community, Italian food and agricultural excellence and international markets, with sport providing the common ground.
Among the institutional guests were Nicola Faganello, Ambassador of Italy to Ireland, Michela Linda Magrì, Director of the Italian Institute of Culture in Dublin, Giovanni Fava, President of Zebre Parma, and Francesco Montana Paladini, Head of the Dublin Desk at the Italian Trade Agency, ICE. The evening also welcomed representatives of Leinster Rugby, the Irish Rugby Football Union.
The event featured contributions from Egidio Amoretti, CEO of Amoretti and main sponsor of Zebre Parma. The Parma based food company operates in the ready to eat sector. Alessandro Cagnolati, Trade Marketing Manager of the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium, also took part. The Consortium is a partner of the franchise through a project promoting visits to Parmigiano Reggiano dairies. The Consorzio Tutela Mozzarella di Bufala Campana DOP also supported the event and took part in the evening.
The Dublin event marked the launch of the Zebre Business Tour, which will accompany the international activities of the Italian franchise through meetings, networking and new connections between rugby, businesses and Italian excellence.
For Pinocchio Magazine, the evening was also an opportunity to meet the players and hear directly about their experience of playing rugby in Italy and Ireland.
We were particularly grateful to Ambassador Faganello for inviting Pinocchio Magazine to an event celebrating Italian pride in Ireland. Seeing an Italian professional rugby team arrive in Dublin is something we are proud to share with the Italian community here.
Pinocchio Magazine also had the opportunity to speak with Giovanni Licata and Damiano Mazza.
Licata, born in Agrigento in 1997, is a back row forward and an Italian international. He has built a long career with Zebre Parma and has made more than 100 appearances for the club. Mazza, born in Montecchio Emilia in 1999, plays at centre and has represented Italy at youth and senior development level. Both are part of the generation of Italian players developing their careers through professional rugby.
We were struck by their humility, professionalism and passion, qualities that are necessary to reach this level. Particularly interesting was hearing about the relationship they have built with Ireland over the years through rugby. Their experience shows how sport can create lasting connections between the two countries.
The presence of the Zebre in Dublin was an opportunity for Italian players to meet the community, for Italians in Ireland to support one of their national sporting teams, and for the longstanding connection between Italian and Irish rugby to be celebrated.
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