Challenge Cup record

Zebre have never reached the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup and only once made the knockout stage – last season, when it began with the round of 16 rather than the last eight. However, they only made their competition debut in 2014/15.

Last season

With a thrilling 25-25 home draw against Bayonne and an 18-16 victory at Brive, the Italian club qualified for the last 16, where they bowed out via a 35-27 home loss to Bath Rugby.

Head coach

Michael Bradley has been Zebre head coach since 2017, having previously occupied similar roles at Connacht Rugby (2003-10), Edinburgh Rugby (2011-13) and CSM Bucuresti (2017). In between these posts, the ex-Ireland scrum-half was interim Ireland head coach in 2008 and Georgia assistant head coach from 2013 to 2016.

Key players

Zebre will largely rely on a host of Italian internationals - including fly-half Carlo Canna, scrum-half Marcello Violi, wing Mattia Bellini, No.8 Maxime Mbanda, hooker Luca Bigi and prop Andrea Lovotti - plus a sprinkling of foreign signings, such as New Zealander Liam Mitchell, a lock, South African centre Erich Cronjé and Australian full-back Junior Laloifi.

Pool fixtures

Zebre open this season’s competition with a tie against Biarritz Olympique at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in Parma and that is followed by a trip to another French club in RC Toulon. They then have a break in Round 3 before resuming with two games against English teams – at home to Worcester Warriors and a visit to Newcastle Falcons.

Zebre Rugby Club are the next team to be put under the microscope as we continue our preview of this season’s European Rugby Challenge Cup contenders.