Zebre snatch English centre
TRANSFER NEWS: Zebre boosted their backline stocks with former England Under-20 centre Jamie Elliott.
The English player began training with his new teammates at the Parma’s Rugby Citadel.
Grown in the Northampton Saints’ Academy, Elliot made his debut in the Premiership at the age of 18 in November 2011 with the gold, black & green jersey, scoring a try in the win at Sale.
In eight seasons at Franklin’s Garden, the centre played 155 official matches with the English club between Premiership, Anglo-Welsh Cup and European Cups.
In total, 24 tries were scored by Elliott in the English Premiership in 120 games played. In the 2012/13 season, he was also the top try scorer of the Northampton Saints with 11. The following year Elliott won both the title of England champion and the EPCR Challenge Cup with the Saints. Last summer the player signed with Bedford Blues, his hometown club, taking part in the Championship. In the 2018/19 season, he made 6 appearances with the Blues jersey.
At a youth level, the 26-year-old has was part of the England youth national teams and played an Under-20 Six Nations in 2011, won by England with the grand slam of victories. Internationally, the English centre has also played 24 Champions Cup matches, reflecting its great experience that he will make it available to the Zebre coaching staff directed by former Ireland scrumhalf Michael Bradley.
Elliot is ready to make his debut both with the Zebre jersey and in the PRO14. Zebre Rugby Club travels to Wales this weekend to face the Cardiff Blues at the Arms Park in the Welsh capital on Sunday.
The Italian franchise will come to this encounter without 12 internationals capped by Italy for the Saturday night test match in Chicago against Ireland. The Parma-based franchise earned two straight wins at Stadio Lanfranchi, beating the English side of the Bristol Bears in the EPCR Challenge Cup and Edinburgh Rugby last weekend in the PRO14.
Zebre Rugby Club team manager Andrea De Rossi welcomed the new player: "We were looking for a specific player in the role of outside centre; as soon as Elliott’s name was proposed, we had no doubts: he is the right guy. Jamie has a great experience and a long history of rugby at an international level,"
Jamie Elliott siad: "I am very happy for this new phase of my career in Italy: I can’t wait to take the field with my new teammates and show my value.
"I want to give my best for the team and repay the trust of the club. Certainly, I will bring my experience and way of thinking of the rugby situation, with the aim of helping the team to seize many successes.
"I would like to thank the Bedford Blues for giving me the opportunity to play: I really enjoyed these months at the club in my city where I found great people who welcomed me very well. I wish the Bedford Blues the best for the rest of the season,"