Tommaso Allan targets fourth Rugby World Cup as Zebre return extends storied career

Tommaso Allan is back in Italy for the first time in years, having signed for Zebre Parma, and the 91-cap utility back has a clear goal in mind: a fourth Rugby World Cup when Australia hosts the tournament in 2025.

The 33-year-old has spent his career crossing borders — developing at Henley RFC and the Wasps Academy in England, passing through Western Province in South Africa, and logging stints in France and England before returning to his homeland. Zebre’s place in the multi-nation United Rugby Championship means the globe-trotting continues, at least in spirit.

“I would never have imagined this job would have taken me to so many different countries and that I would play for so many years,” Allan said. “I think this is my 14th season. I have played a lot of games for the national team which I never thought was possible when I was a youngster.”

Allan was born in Vicenza but moved to England with his family at the age of eight, speaking no English on arrival. It was there, at his local club, that his rugby career took root. “That’s where my rugby grew,” he said. “We found the local rugby club where I was living, I started playing for them and I never really stopped after that.”

His connection to South Africa runs deep too. His father was born in Glasgow but raised in Durban, and his uncle represented the Springboks. Allan spent a summer at his father’s old school before earning a place in the Western Province Academy — a formative step on a career path that few could have predicted.

Now, with age beginning to register physically, Allan is focused on making the most of whatever time remains. “It’s a different feeling knowing you are kind of nearing the end of your career a little bit,” he said. “I don’t know how many more years I have got in me, if it’s three, four, one. I am just trying to enjoy it as much as possible.”

At Zebre, he has embraced a leadership role alongside a young squad. “There are a lot of youngsters here and I try to help them as much as possible,” he said. “At the same time, I think there are things I can still improve on in my game.”

Looking back across 14 seasons, Allan offered a candid reflection: “I try to think of myself when I was 15, 16, having big aspirations. I am sure the Tommy of 15 years old would be quite proud of what I have achieved — and hopefully I can achieve a little bit more before I finish.”