Italy hooker Luca Bigi has been named as the new Azzurri captain by Franco Smith ahead of the 2020 Guinness Six Nations that start next weekend.
The 28-year-old Zebre man has some big footsteps to fill, after succeeding Sergio Parisse as skipper, with the Italian legend set to feature only in home matches in his final Championship.
After making his debut against Scotland in 2017, Bigi has been a regular in the Italian side ever since, with seven Guinness Six Nations appearances in the last two years, as well as three appearances at the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Smith will take charge of Italy in the Guinness Six Nations after taking over the coaching role on an interim basis from Conor O’Shea, and the South African believes Bigi has all the makings of the perfect captain.
Congratulazioni a Luca #Bigi, Capitano #Italrugby per il @SixNationsRugby 2020
https://t.co/TI0StfTnLk#insieme #rugbypassioneitaliana pic.twitter.com/pmy0YsF39B
— Italrugby (@Federugby) January 20, 2020
“We have had the opportunity to identify a group of players who will have a leadership role within the team to contribute to developing a culture in the squad and we have made Luca Bigi captain,†Smith said.
“It is a big responsibility for him, but also a chance to keep growing as a player, flanked by the other players who we have kept in the squad and will be able to positively influence the squad, in a doubly strategic role as hooker and captain.â€
Bigi has 24 international caps to his name ahead of Italy’s Championship opener against Wales on February 1st. And the hooker, who made the move from Benetton to Zebre at the start of the season, has expressed his delight in being given the responsibility of leading the team.
“It is a great privilege to be able to lead the national team. I did not expect this choice, the first person I wanted to share it with was my partner. I am thrilled to be able to represent the whole Italian movement in the tournament.”
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Source: 6 Nations