Marco Bortolami
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Marco Bortolami (born 12 June 1980) is an Italian rugby union player.
Bortalami began his playing career with the team of his native Padua, making his debut in the second row aged just 18. He was soon made captain of Italy's Under-21 side, before making his full international debut against Namibia in 2001. At the age of 22, Bortalami was made Italy's youngest ever captain.
In his first-ever World Cup start - against Tonga in 2003 - he picked up an injury and missed the decisive match against Wales, which saw the Azzurri eliminated from the competition.
After impressing in the 2004 Six Nations championship, he was once again awarded the captaincy for the 2005 summer tour of Japan. After the tour he joined French club Narbonne.
In the summer of 2006 he joined Guinness Premiership side Gloucester and stepped straight into the starting team for their first game of the season, immediately taking the role of captain.[1]
| Italy squad - 2003 Rugby World Cup | ||
|---|---|---|
| Forwards: | Benatti • Bezzi • Ma Bergamasco • Bortolami • Castrogiovanni • Checchinato • Cicero • Dellapè • Festuccia • Martinez • Ongaro • Palmer • Parisse • Persico • Perugini • Phillips • Rossi |  |
| Backs: | Barbini • Mi Bergamasco • Canale • D.Dallan • M.Dallan • Masi • Mazzantini • Mazzariol • Mazzucato • Peens • Stoica • Troncon (c) • Wakarua | |
| Coach: | Kirwan | |
