Today we meet Roland De Marigny, Director or Rugby at Rugby Parma, former top level player in two hemispheres and already with a jam-packed coaching CV.

In our ongoing series of meetings with people who continue to influence rugby in Italy, we met Roland de Marigny, a man who continues to bring his South African roots through into his coaching today.

Today we meet Roland De Marigny, Director or Rugby at Rugby Parma, former top level player in two hemispheres and already with a jam-packed coaching CV.

Roland, you played internationally for Italy, however you have learned to play rugby in South Africa, tell us about your approach to rugby and your experience in that country.

I was born in South Africa, but my parents are originally from Mauritius and played other sports (my father played football and my mother played volleyball), so I knew very little about rugby. In fact, my introduction to the sport started at school at 10 years old when I played as a prop. However, the South African school system allows pupils to practice and learn about other sports, each season you would play a different one, for example, cricket is played in summer, rugby in winter and athletics in the spring. The opportunity to play multiple sports allowed me to develop a wide range of skills which played a key role when eventually I chose to focus exclusively on rugby.

From the school team, Westville Boys' High School, I spent 2 years playing with the Durban Collegians Club and thanks to their contacts I also had the opportunity to get 5 months experience playing in Wales for Bangor RFC. In 1996 the Natal Sharks were short of fly-halfs for the upcoming season (then called the Super-12) and they called me for a trial that went very well. I made 11 appearances in my debut season. The following year I moved to the Blue Bulls where I remember with pleasure the 1997 victory against the British Lions and the 1998 victory in the Currie Cup. Finally I went to play with the Leopards for a season and a half, before moving in 2000 to Italy and to Rugby Parma on the recommendation of a South African friend who already played and coached for the club.

In Italy you played some great rugby, resulting in being called up for the World Cup and playing in the 6 Nations for Italy. Can you tell us about any unusual episodes from your career?

I remember a windless evening game in Pretoria in the Currie Cup with the Bulls. At the time we still used sand to raise the ball up for kick off. As I went to kick the ball, I got under it so much that the ball went straight up and then started to go backwards, not even getting over the half-way line, it eventually fell to my teammate playing centre, who was stood in disbelief at what had happened, just like everyone else on the pitch. Ironically, years later with the Italian national team, and with a particular tactical situation in mind, they asked me to attempt a similar kick ...

Roland, let's now talk about your experience off the pitch as a manager and coach.

I stopped playing two years after the 2007 World Cup, due to a persistent groin pain and various injuries that had caused physical wear and tear. So I decided to use my experience to become a coach, having played in many countries - including in England with Leeds - and having played under and learned from some excellent coaches myself.

In recent years I have coached many teams at various levels: from the Italian national academy and at Zebre in Italy, to other clubs in the Italian league system. Each experience required different relationship and management skills; I am convinced that all teams and clubs need good people, and that by working together you can build anything: a good team, and a good club! I believe my ability in man-management has helped me greatly in my current role as manager at Rugby Parma.

Published: Thursday 26 August 2021