Federico Ruzza, born on August 4, 1994, is an Italian professional rugby union player known for his proficiency as a lock. He currently plays for Benetton in the United Rugby Championship.
Ruzza's professional career began with Viadana, and for the 2014-15 Pro12 season, he was named as a Permit Player for Zebre in the Pro14. He continued to represent Zebre from 2015 to 2017, making valuable contributions to the team.
In 2014, Ruzza earned recognition by being named in both the Italy Under 20 and Italy Sevens squads, showcasing his potential and versatility. The following year, he was also named in the Emerging Italy squad for the 2015 World Rugby Tbilisi Cup, further solidifying his presence in Italian rugby.
Ruzza's test debut for the Italian national team came during the 2017 Six Nations Championship against Scotland. He was subsequently selected as part of the Italian squad for the tournament. His performance in international rugby earned him a place in the final 31-man squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, highlighting his contribution to the team.
His senior debut in rugby came in October 2012, representing the FIR Academy side in Serie A2. He made his Eccellenza debut for Viadana in October 2014 and followed it up with his PRO12 debut for Zebre in a match against Glasgow in February 2015.
Ruzza has represented Italy at various levels, including the Italy U20s, where he started in all five games of the 2014 Six Nations and captained the team against England. He also featured in four matches for Italy in the Junior World Championships held in New Zealand.
In addition, he played for Emerging Italy in all three matches of the 2015 Tbilisi Cup, demonstrating his versatility and commitment to representing his country.
Ruzza showcased his try-scoring ability on his Champions Cup debut for Zebre against Wasps at the Ricoh Arena, scoring two tries for his team.
His impressive performances led to his inclusion in Italy's 2018 Six Nations squad, having made his debut against Scotland in 2017. He entered the competition with three previous appearances for the Azzurri.
Named once again in the 2019 Six Nations squad, Ruzza brought four previous Six Nations appearances to the team, further cementing his place in the national setup. His consistent performances and commitment to Italian rugby have established him as a valuable asset for both club and country.
Ahead of the Rugby World Cup 2023, Ruzza has been named in the squad for Italy.
KG(24/06/2023)
Career
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Italy No 5 Lock |
2016 - present |
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Benetton Rugby No 5 Lock |
2017 - present |
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Zebre Parma No 5 Lock |
2015 - 2017 |
