Quick Facts
Biography
Leonardo Ghiraldini (born 26 December 1984) is an Italian rugby union player for Leicester Tigers in the Aviva Premiership. Ghiraldini's position of choice is hooker.
Club career
Ghiraldini began his career with Petrarca Rugby in his home town of Padua before moving to Rugby Calvisano in 2005 where, as captain, he won the Super 10 (now National Championship of Excellence) in 2008 and was a runner-up with them in 2006. In 2009, Ghiraldini moves to Benetton Treviso, which joined the Celtic League in 2010.
On 21 May 2014, Ghiraldini moved to England to join Leicester Tigers in the Aviva Premiership from the 2014-15 season. On 18 December 2015, Ghiraldini would join top French club Toulouse in the Top 14 on a three-year deal.
International career
Ghiraldini played for the Italian U-18, U-19 and U-21 teams before playing for the Italy A Team. He was regarded as one of Italian rugby's stars of the future.
Ghiraldini played his first international game against Japan during Italy's 2006 summer tour. Ghiraldini was in the Italian squad for the 2007 Six Nations Championship and the 2007 Rugby World Cup, he made his World Cup debut against Portugal. He was in the Italy squad for the 2008 Six Nations Championship, playing as starting hooker in all five games of the tournament.
For the 2010 Six Nations Championship, Ghiraldini was named Italian captain after Sergio Parisse was ruled out of the tournament with an injury.
Honours
Calvisano
- Super 10 winner (1): 2008. runner-up (1): 2006