Bortolami hoping to inspire Zebre against former club

Zebre beat Edinburgh 18-10 at the Stadio XXV Aprile last weekend, with Andrea Cavinato's side now hoping to pick up a second win in Europe this year against the Cherry & Whites on Sunday.

Bortolami is relishing his first return to the club he represented for four years and also captained, urging his current side to claim a famous win in honour of his past with their English opponents.

And although the 34-year-old is expecting Gloucester to have planned for his lineout prowess, he insists the Italians have enough threats in the pack to test their hosts.

"Gloucester start as favourites and people see them as the stronger team. It will be tough for us, especially at Kingsholm, but we have to make life as hard as possible for them," he told the Gloucester Citizen.

"It will be a special game and you can't hide from that. I'm delighted to go back there and I cannot wait to step on that field - I know the fans will give me a good welcome.

"Playing at Gloucester was an important period in my career - I gained so much during my time there but also gave so much.

"I will ask the boys to give everything, not only to honour my past at Gloucester but Dario Chistolini and Tommaso D'Apice who also played there.

"The important thing is to start well and to make sure that the set-piece goes well like against Edinburgh.

"Gloucester might try to avoid me like the Scots but George Biagi managed to steal two throws. The lineout is all about organisation and if we play like a well-oiled machine we won't have any problems with any team."

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