David Alexander Sharp Sisi (born 5 February 1993) was a German-born Italian professional rugby union player who primarily played lock for Zebre Parma of the United Rugby Championship. He had also represented Italy on 30 occasions at international level, having made his test debut against Scotland during the 2019 Six Nations Championship. Sisi has previously played for clubs such as London Irish, London Scottish, Bath, and Leeds Tykes in the past.[2]

Dave Sisi
Full nameDavid Alexander Sharp Sisi
Date of birth (1993-02-05) 5 February 1993 (age 31)
Place of birthRinteln, Germany
Height193 cm (6 ft 4 in)[1]
Weight117 kg (258 lb; 18 st 6 lb)[1]
SchoolHounsdown School and
St. Paul's College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock, Flanker, Number 8
Current team Zebre Parma
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2010–2016 London Irish 24 (5)
2011–2017 London Scottish 6 (0)
2014–2017 Bath 21 (5)
2014 Leeds Tykes 11 (5)
2017–2024 Zebre Parma 104 (25)
Correct as of 10 Dec 2022
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2012–2013 England U20 14 (15)
2019–2023 Italy 30 (0)
Correct as of 6 Oct 2023
Coaching career
Years Team
2024– Zebre Parma (Assistant Coach)

From Semptember 2024 he is Assistent Coach of Zebre Parma.

Early life

edit

Sisi is of Italian descent, and qualifies to play for Italy through his paternal grandparents and his father Carlo. His mother, Barbara, is English. He has a younger brother, Adam.

As a youngster he swam representing his county. Rugby was introduced to him at secondary school, aged 11. He joined local club, Tottonians and was picked by Hampshire RFU. At 16, he was offered a place on the London Irish AASE scheme; joining the London Irish academy and completing his schooling part time at St. Paul’s college, and afterwards accepting a full time contract with London Irish; at the time becoming their youngest player to represent their first team. With the England under 20 team, David won both the 6 Nations twice and a first Junior World Cup for England at the time.

Professional career

edit

Sisi moved to Bath where over the course of 4 years he also spent loan periods to Yorkshire Carnegie (formally Leeds Carnegie), London Scottish and back to London Irish.

On 31 July 2017, Sisi signed for Italian club Zebre in the Pro14 from the 2017-18 season.[3]

In 2012 and 2013, Sisi was named in the England Under 20 squad, but in 2019 he opted for Italy and on 18 August 2019, he was named in the final 31-man squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.[4]

On 22 August 2023, he was named in the Italy's 33-man squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.[5]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "David Sisi player profile". rugbyworldcup.com. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  2. ^ "David Sisi lascia il rugby giocato e viene nominato coach della touche delle Zebre". Zebre Parma. 30 September 2024. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  3. ^ "Zebre sign former Bath flanker Dave Sisi ahead of next season". On Rugby.it (in Italian). 31 July 2017.
  4. ^ "Italrugby, Conor O'shea Annuncia I 31 Giocatori Convocati per Il Mondiale". Federazione Italiana Rugby (in Italian).
  5. ^ "ITALIA, I 33 AZZURRI PER LA RUGBY WORLD CUP "FRANCIA 2023". Federazione Italiana Rugby (in Italian). 22 August 2023.
edit