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.
Recent Posts
- Win Over DHL Stormers Will Boost Emirates Lions’ Confidence For The Next Three Matches
- Glasgow Warriors Beat Dragons RFC In Try Fest
- Jacobs And Makua Join Springbok Women In Stellenbosch
- Bulls Daisies And Sanlam Boland Dames Lead The Pack At Halfway Stage
- “The Emirates Lions Just Would Not Go Away, So Credit To Them.” – John Dobson
- Hollywoodbets Sharks Passed Depth-test Against Vodacom Bulls
- FNB NWU Eagles Confident To Correct Last Season’s Mistakes In Varsity Cup
- New-look FNB UFS Shimlas Ready To Go To Battle And Defend Their Crown
- Vodacom Bulls’ Lack Of Speed At The Back A Major Concern
- Cardiff Rugby Denied Comeback Win Over Connacht Rugby
- Benetton Rugby Secured A Bonus Point Win Over Ill-Disciplined Ulster Rugby
- Dominant Munster Rugby Claim Win Over Scarlets At Thomond Park
- Vodacom Bulls Beaten By Ill-disciplined But Spirited Hollywoodbets Sharks
- Emirates Lions Hung On To Beat DHL Stormers In A Round 11 United Rugby Championship Clash
- Reynders Eager To Contribute To Blitzboks Effort In Canada