Player Movements: Zebre

With 17 players having left the club, Zebre Rugby is one the few PRO12 clubs to see a large number of players leaving their squad.

To start the upcoming season on a good note, they have made 12 signings to fill the gap.

Here are the club's ins and outs:

Gabriele Di Giulio (signed 31 March 2016 from Calvisano)

Di Giulio was one of the most promising players in Calvisano and will now hope to become one of the most prominent players in the Italian rugby scene with his two-year signing at Zebre Rugby.

Mattia Bellini (signed from Petrarca Padova)

Bellini was named in the Italian squad for the 2016 Six Nations Championship and made his debut against France.

Tommaso Castello (signed from Calvisano)

Castello sharpened his skills in 2011 with the Calvisano team, winning his first three Excellence National Championship titles.

He made the selection for the Italian Under-20s and competed in the Six Nations in 2011.

Maxime Mbandà (signed from Calvisano)

Mbanda was in the Ivan Francescato Academy, and became part of the Italian Under-20s, winning the Junior World Rugby Trophy in 2013.

After his debut in Pro 12 as a permit player, he made the official signing to Zebre this year.

Kurt Baker (signed 4 May 2016 from New Zealand Sevens)

Baker was part of the New Zealand Sevens squad for the opening two rounds of the 2008/09 IRB World 7s Series.

He was the top individual try and point scorer in the Hong Kong 7s.

Joshua Furno (signed 11 May 2016 from New Castle Falcons)

Furno made his international debut for Italy vs Scotland in 2011.

He only had limited opportunities with the Falcons, which lead him signing for Zebre.

Also in:

Carlo Festuccia from Wasps

Giovanbattista Venditti from Newcastle Falcons

Lloyd Greeff from Golden Lions

Derick Minnie from Golden Lions

Bart Le Roux from Leopards

Carlo Engelbrecht from Blue Bulls

Players out:

Leornado Sarto (to Glasgow Warriors)

Mirco Bergamasco (to Sacramento Express)

Filippino Ferrarini (to Ohia Aviators)

Mils Muliaina (to San Diego Breakers)

Marco Bortolami (retired)

Emiliano Caffini (to Fiamme Oro)

Filippo Cristiano (to Fiamme Oro)

Kelly Haimona (to Bay of Plenty)

Giulio Toniolatti (to Lazio)

Jean Cook (to Kintsentsu Liners)

Michele Visentin (to Mogliano)

Paul Derbyshire (to Amatori San Donà)

Emiliano Coria (to Nevers)

Gonzalo Garcia (to Cahors)

Ulrich Beyers (to Blue Bulls)

Luke Burgess (to retired)

Bruno Mercanti (released)