Luca Giannini (born 17 June 2004) is a Welsh rugby union player who previously played for the Scarlets as a flanker.
| Birth name | Gianluca Giannini[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 17 June 2004 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Swansea, Wales | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 185 cm (6 ft 1 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 102 kg (16 st 1 lb; 225 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | St John Lloyd Comprehensive | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Professional career
editGiannini began playing for local side Llanelli Wanderers RFC, and played for Llanelli Schools U15 and Scarlets U16.[2] A captain for the Scarlets U18 side, Giannini made his first appearance for Llanelli RFC in 2021.[3][4]
In 2022, Giannini was selected for Wales U18.[1]
Giannini made his debut for the Scarlets on 24 September 2022 against Ulster. Coming off the bench, Giannini became the second youngest player to represent the Scarlets.[5]
Giannini was selected for Wales U20 in 2023, making his first appearance in a friendly against Poland.[6] He was subsequently named in the full squad for the 2023 Six Nations Under 20s Championship.[7] On 3 February 2022, he made his first appearance, starting against Ireland.[8] He made four appearances during the tournament. Giannini was named in the squad for the 2024 Six Nations Under 20s Championship, and appeared in one match, against France.[9]
Giannini was released by the Scarlets at the end of the 2023–24 United Rugby Championship season.[10] He subsequently joined Swansea RFC ahead of the inaugural Super Rygbi Cymru season.[11]
References
edit- ^ a b "Wales U18 squads Six Nations ready - Welsh Rugby Union". Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions. 5 April 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ "Scarlets sign up four home-grown talents for Academy". Scarlets Rugby. 15 June 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ "Scarlets U18s return to action". Scarlets Rugby. 11 January 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ "Player – LLANELLI RFC". Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ "Cooney inspires Ulster to thrilling Scarlets win". BBC Sport. 24 September 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ "Wales U20s beat Poland 71-12". BBC Sport. 20 January 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ "Wales U20 announce Six Nations squad - Welsh Rugby Union". Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions. 27 January 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ Orders, Mark (3 February 2023). "Defending champions Ireland thrash Wales U20s in Six Nations opener". WalesOnline. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
- ^ "Under-20s Six Nations: Wales 12-45 France - visitors score six tries in Cardiff". BBC Sport. 5 March 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ "Wyn Jones and Scott Williams among Scarlets departures". BBC Sport. 9 May 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ @SwanseaRFC (9 June 2024). "We are delighted to welcome our next signing, back rower Luca Giannini. Fresh off the back of the U20s Six Nations, Luca also cut his teeth with the Scarlets, Llandovery and Llanelli. Welcome to the Whites Luca!" (Tweet). Retrieved 13 June 2024 – via Twitter.