Zebre announce new stadium name

So it's time to say goodbye to the "Stadio XXV Aprile" , while the Rugby Citadel of Parma officially welcomes the legend of Parmesan rugby (which was the name of the old stadium which was demolished in 2008).

Two plaques now stand in front of the box offices of the venue which hosts Zebre Rugby home games in Guinness PRO12 and in the European Cups. The first game of the new "Stadio Lanfranchi" will therefore be Sunday, February 15, 2015 when Zebre will host the Scots Glasgow Warriors in the 14th round of the Guinness PRO12.

Sergio Lanfranchi has been one of the greatest Italian rugby players of all time; born in Parma in 1925, he wore the yellow & blues shirt of Rugby Parma from 1946 to 1950 , winning the Italian main league in the 1950.

In 1950 the work took him to France where he became a legend for having had the merit to get to FC Grenoble the only league title in its history, marking the only try of the final against US Cognac beaten 5-3 in front of a 35,000 attendance in Toulouse. It was May 23, 1954 and these deeds are still remembered by a indelible statue placed outside the headquarters of the French club.

After his death in 2001, the old Viale Piacenza stadium of Parma was dedicated to him becoming "Sergio Lanfranchi Stadium" until 2008 when it was demolished to make way for EFSA , the headquarters of the European food safety authority.

Lanfranchi still runs the second longest ever Italian international career - overtaken last year by Mauro Bergamasco- and he played 15 years with Azzurri shirt from March 27, 1949 to March 29, 1964 with 21 caps including 8 as captain with his last one earned in his own Parma against France.

A great fighter, his massive and powerful body made him nicknamed "Braccio ("arm" in English) and, thanks to his excellent technical capabilities, he played all the forward roles and also few times as back with good kick skills.

Sergio Lanfranchi

Parma (Italy) 27/09/1925 - Montchanin (France) 21/01/2001