About this episode
Sebastian Negri shares his inspiring journey from Zimbabwe to becoming an international rugby player for Italy.
In this episode of No Rucks Given, we sit down with Italian international and Benetton back-row powerhouse Sebastian Negri.Born on a farm in Zimbabwe, Seb’s story is one of resilience, sacrifice and determination. Forced to leave his home country with his family during a period of political unrest, he grew up in South Africa before pursuing his rugby dream across three continents. From Zimbabwe to Durban, from Hartpury College in England to the international stage with Italy, Seb’s journey is unlike any other. We dive into his childhood experiences, the challenges his family faced, and how those early life lessons shaped the player and person he is today. Seb opens up about representing Italy through his father’s heritage, earning over 60 Test caps, competing in multiple Rugby World Cups, and helping lead the rise of Italian rugby on the international stage. We also discuss:• Growing up in Zimbabwe and South Africa• Leaving home and adapting to new cultures• His pathway through Hartpury and into professional rugby• Life at Benetton and in the URC• The evolution of Italian rugby• Six Nations highs and lows• Rugby World Cups and international competition• Leadership, mindset and…
People in this episode
Host: Paul Brown-Bampoe
Guest: Sebastian Negri
Topics covered
- Sebastian Negri's journey
- Italian rugby
- overcoming adversity
- cultural adaptation
- professional rugby
- leadership in sports
Keywords
- rugby
- Sebastian Negri
- Italian rugby
- Rugby World Cups
- Six Nations
- resilience
- cultural adaptation
- professional sports
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Benetton, Hartpury College, Italy
Places: Zimbabwe, South Africa
More episodes of No Rucks Given
- NRG Episode #7: Tom Hooper · May 1, 2026 · 1h 12m
- NRG Episode #6: CARWYN TUIPULOTU · April 1, 2026 · 54 min
- NRG Episode #5: Stephen Lorenzo Varney · March 20, 2026 · 47 min
- NRG Episode #4: Christ Tshiunza · March 3, 2026 · 1h 19m
- NRG Episode 3: Louis Lynagh · February 15, 2026 · 1h 18m
- NRG Episode #2: Scott Sio · January 21, 2026 · 1h 3m
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the No Rucks Given podcast page.