Fiamme Oro Unveils 17 New Grafts for 2025-26 Season, Spotlighting Italian Youth

The Fiamme Oro rugby team is gearing up for the 2025-26 season with an impressive roster of 17 new players, marking a significant investment in the growth of Italian rugby’s future. Vice-President Tommaso Niglio sits down with OnRugby to discuss the team’s development strategy, starting from the roots and fostering local talent.

New Grafts: A Blend of Youth and Experience

The incoming players can be categorized into two groups: those nurtured within the Fiamme Oro youth system and external recruits.

• Youth System Graduates: Having cultivated a youth development pipeline for two decades, Fiamme Oro boasts around 30 players in their elite to Serie C teams. Notable alumni include Edoardo Padovani, who started with the team before moving to Zebre and playing for Italy.
• External Recruits: Key signings include Luca Andreani, former Italy U20 captain and Zebre player, who will bring international experience and leadership to the team.

Objectives for the New Season

Niglio emphasizes competition and improvement, targeting better results in the Italian Cup and playoff qualification, stating, “We want to be competitive, and we believe we can achieve this by enhancing our results from last season.”

A Model for Success

Niglio expounds on the team’s development model, focusing on nurturing Italian players, especially those from the Center-South region. “We want to valorize Italian and center-south boys,” he says, adding that a draft system like the NBA’s could help raise Serie A’s level and offer young players viable career paths.

Growth and Opportunities in Serie A Elite

The Elite Serie A, Niglio believes, should serve as a bridge between youth and professional levels, enabling players to develop and potentially step up to the franchises. Players like Mattia Bellini and Gianmarco Totò, direct graduates from Serie A Elite to the Italy national team, exemplify this path.

Carlo Canna, a long-serving Fiamme Oro player, is a model for how a golden Fiamme player should be.

Tommaso Niglio, Fiamme Oro Vice-President

Canna’s international experience has significantly contributed to the team’s growth, both on and off the field.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Italian Rugby

The union between rugby and the rising power of the Italian Championship is intriguing, with the Wales project looking to replicate the Fiamme Oro model. Niglio sees a sustainable Serie A driven by a draft system that benefits weaker teams while maintaining economic balance.

Call to Arms

With the influx of new talent and a clear vision for growth, Fiamme Oro is poised to make a significant mark on the Italian rugby landscape. As the team kicks off their 2025-26 campaign, expect to see a blend of youthful exuberance and tactical nous, with their sights set firmly on success.