Lions Take Trip Down Memory Lane in Italy
The Emirates Lions wrapped up their 11-day stay in Italy with a final training session at Petrarca Rugby in Padova, the former rugby playing home of Lions Rugby Company CEO, Rudolf Straeuli.
The former 1995 Rugby World Cup winner spent two years in the region, with half of that time at the Petrarca Sport before returning to South Africa for the country’s first ever international rugby showpiece.
“It’s special to come back here after 30 years and to see how the club has grown,” said Straeuli, who played local rugby for the Italian outfit.
“The facilities here are of a high standard and the rugby culture continues to create strong bonds between old friends.”
The Emirates Lions enjoyed an intense field session at Petrarca Rugby, followed by an Italian braai hosted by club director, Vittorio Munari.
“It has been such an honour hosting our old friend Rudolf and his team. To have a franchise team of such magnitude train at our facilities is a highlight for us here at Petrarca.”
“We wish the team well on the rest of their journey in the United Rugby Championship,” Munari concluded.
Petrarca Rugby played home to several rugby legends including Straeuli’s fellow 1995 World Cup winner Kobus Wiese, former Springbok captain Theuns Stofberg, former Western Province and Springbok centre Faffa Knoetze as well as Australian great David Campese.
The Emirates Lions now make their way to the city of Swansea in Wales where they will continue preparations ahead of their second-round clash against Scarlets Rugby this Friday in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.
Video of Emirates Lions at Petrarca:
https://twitter.com/LionsRugbyCo/status/1442512426843267092https://twitter.com/LionsRugbyCo/status/1442512426843267092
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