Ross Vintcent
{{Short description|Italian rugby union player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name = Ross Vintcent
| image = Ross Vintcent 2022.jpg
| caption =
| birth_name = Ross Michael Alwyn Vintcent
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|2002|6|5}}
| birth_place = Johannesburg, South Africa
| height = {{height|m=1.85}}
| weight = {{convert|98|kg|st lbs|abbr=on}}
| ru_position = Flanker / Number 8
| amatyears1 = 2022−2023
| amatteam1 = Exeter University
| amatapps1 =
| amatpoints1 =
| ru_amateurupdate =
| currentclub = Exeter Chiefs
| youthyears1 = 2020−2022
| youthclubs1 = F.I.R. Academy
| years1 = 2020–2022
| clubs1 = F.I.R. Academy
| apps1 = -
| points1 = -
| years2 = 2022
| clubs2 = → Zebre Parma
| apps2 = 3
| points2 = 0
| years3 = 2022−
| clubs3 = Exeter Chiefs
| apps3 = 36
| points3 = 60
| ru_clubupdate = 18 January 2025
| repyears1 = 2021–2022
| repteam1 = Italy U20
| repcaps1 = 12
| reppoints1 = 10
| repyears2 = 2024–
| repteam2 = Italy
| repcaps2 = 14
| reppoints2 = 10
| ru_ntupdate = 16 March 2025
| spouse =
| children =
| relatives = Dylan Todd, Michele Pomario
| school = Bishops Diocesan College
| university = University of Exeter
}}
Ross Vintcent (born 5 June 2002) is a South African-born Italian rugby union player who plays as a flanker for Exeter Chiefs.{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimaterugby.com/ross-vintcent|title=Ross Vintcent|work=Ultimate Rugby|access-date=7 May 2022}}
Club career
Vintcent was named in the F.I.R. Academy for the 2020–2021 and 2021–22 seasons, having been allocated by the Italian Rugby Union. In May 2022 he was added at list of Permit player of Zebre Parma.{{cite news|url=https://www.federugby.it/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15592:laccademia-fir-a-parma-per-il-202122-poi-due-accademie-delle-franchigie&catid=252:slide&Itemid=811|title=L’accademie fir a Parma per il 2021/22, poi due academie delle franchigie |work=F.I.R. Rugby|date=6 September 2021|access-date=7 September 2021}}{{cite news|url=https://www.zebrerugbyclub.it/smith-e-vintcent-vicini-allesordio-con-le-zebre-e-nello-united-rugby-championship/|title=SMITH E VINTCENT VICINI ALL’ESORDIO CON LE ZEBRE E NELLO UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP|work=Zebre|date=5 May 2022|access-date=5 May 2022}} He made his debut in the re-arranged Round 12 of the 2021–22 United Rugby Championship against {{Rut|Cardiff}}.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/61328649|title=United Rugby Championship: Cardiff 42-14 Zebre|work=BBC Sport|date=6 May 2022|access-date=7 May 2022}}
In September 2022, he began studying at the University of Exeter and became involved with Exeter Chiefs through the Exeter University Rugby Club. He went on to make his debut that month in the Premiership Rugby Cup in an away fixture against Bristol Bears.{{cite web |title=Ross Vintcent Profile |url=https://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/players/ross-vintcent#:~:text=Dynamic%2C%20young%20back%20row%20Ross,Keith%20Fleming's%20first%2Dteam%20plans. |publisher=Exeter Chiefs |access-date=18 January 2025}} In January 2025, he scored a solo wonder try from his own 10-metre line in a defeat against Ulster in the Champions Cup.{{cite web |title=Match Report: Ulster 52 – 24 Exeter Chiefs |url=https://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/news/match-report-ulster-52-24-exeter-chiefs |publisher=Exeter Chiefs |access-date=18 January 2025}}
International career
Despite being born in South Africa, Vintcent qualifies to play for Italy through his maternal grandfather.{{cite web |last1=Lyall |first1=Jamie |title=Ross Vintcent: 'I was lost, up the creek without a paddle' |url=https://www.rugbypass.com/plus/ross-vintcent-i-was-lost-up-the-creek-without-a-paddle/ |publisher=RugbyPass |access-date=18 January 2025}} In 2021 and 2022, he was named in Italy U20s squad for annual Six Nations Under 20s Championship.{{Cite web|url=https://www.federugby.it/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15463:italia-u20-gli-azzurrini-convocati-per-il-sei-nazioni&catid=112:italia-u-20&Itemid=1025|title = Italia U20, Gli Azzurrini Convocati per Il Sei Nazioni 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.federugby.it/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16068%3Asix-nations-under-20-scelti-i-26-per-gli-ultimi-due-impegni-contro-scozia-e-galles&catid=112%3Aitalia-u-20&Itemid=1025&lang=it|title = UNDER 20, OUT BERNARDINELLO E RUBINATO, CONVOCATI ARTUSO E VACCARI }} On 10 January 2023, he was named in Italy A squad for a uncapped test against Romania A.{{cite news|url=https://www.federugby.it/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16949:italia-a-gli-azzurri-convocati-per-il-match-contro-la-romania-a&catid=110:italia-a&Itemid=1023|title=ITALIA A, GLI AZZURRI CONVOCATI PER IL MATCH CONTRO LA ROMANIA A|work=Italy Rugby Union|date=10 January 2023|access-date=10 January 2023|language=Italian}}
On 16 January 2024, he was named in Italy squad for 2024 Six Nations Championship. He made his debut against Ireland.{{Cite web |title=ITALRUGBY, GLI AZZURRI CONVOCATI PER IL RADUNO DI VERONA IN PREPARAZIONE AL GUINNESS SEI NAZIONI |url=https://www.federugby.it/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18010:italrugby-gli-azzurri-convocati-per-il-raduno-di-verona-in-preparazione-al-guinness-sei-nazioni&catid=109:italia&Itemid=1022 |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=www.federugby.it}} {{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2024/02/20/ross-vintcent-interview-exeter-italy-dominos-delivery/ |title=Ross Vintcent interview: The Domino’s delivery driver playing for Exeter and Italy |publisher=The Daily Telegraph |date=20 February 2024 |first=Charles |last=Richardson |access-date=15 March 2024}}
During the 2025 Six Nations, he scored his first try in a Six Nations fixture finishing a break setup by Ange Capuozzo in a 47–24 defeat to England.{{cite web |title=England England 47 24 Italy |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/match/EVP4447457 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=16 March 2025}} The following week received a 20-minute red card after a high challenge on Robbie Henshaw during a 22–17 defeat to Ireland in the final round of the tournament.{{cite web |last1=McLaughlin |first1=Luke |title=Dan Sheehan’s hat-trick sees off Italy and allows Ireland to celebrate legends |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/mar/15/italy-ireland-six-nations-rugby-union-match-report |publisher=The Guardian |access-date=16 March 2025}}
Personal life
Vintcent is currently studying for an Economics degree at the University of Exeter.{{cite web |last1=Sandes |first1=Duncan |title=Exeter rugby set for starring role in Six Nations |url=https://news.exeter.ac.uk/alumni-news/exeter-rugby-set-for-starring-role-in-six-nations/ |website=University of Exeter |publisher=University of Exeter |access-date=17 January 2024}} To help supplement his income, he had a job delivering Domino's Pizzas alongside his studies and playing rugby in Exeter.{{cite web |title=From Domino's Delivery to Six Nations Glory: The Rise of Ross Vintcent |url=https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/en/m6n/news/from-dominos-delivery-to-six-nations-glory-the-rise-of-ross-vintcent |publisher=Six Nations |access-date=18 January 2025}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Exeter Chiefs squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vintcent, Ross}}
Category:Italian rugby union players
Category:Rugby union number eights
Category:Italy international rugby union players
Category:Exeter Chiefs players
Category:Italian expatriate rugby union players in England
Category:Italian expatriate rugby union players
Category:Rugby union players from Johannesburg
Category:Italian people of South African descent
Category:Alumni of the University of Exeter
Category:21st-century Italian sportsmen
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