Zambonin recharged for semi-final push

Fresh from a rest last week, Andrea Zambonin is ready and recharged for tomorrow’s EPCR Challenge Cup semi-final against Ulster Rugby.

Just 80 minutes away from a potential final in Bilbao, it is hardly surprising the Italian international cannot wait to get stuck in at the Affidea Stadium in Belfast.

He said: “Playing in the semi-final is really exciting, very challenging. It’s an opportunity to really play for something really important, like a big cup.”

The former Zebre player is no stranger to playing against Ulster but this time round he will play in the cup purple of Exeter Chiefs.

“I have played against Ulster a couple of times,” he added. “It’s always a tough game, they are a physical side, so it’s going to be really challenging. We need to start well and set the tone straightaway from the first action. It’s going to be physical, so we need to be prepared for that.”

Both Zambonin and tomorrow’s captain Dafydd Jenkins were given a rest week ahead of the Gloucester Gallagher PREM game after tough Six Nations campaigns. The Italian lock appreciated the break.

“It was really good to have some time off and get ready and recharge for this final sprint. Everybody has to be 100% because it’s going to be really tough for these last matches. It’s going to really important that everybody is fully charged and ready to finish really strong.”

Strength is an attribute Zambonin refers to a lot when he describes the playing group he joined last summer. Immensely likeable, the 25-year-old fitted in straightaway and has been working hard to improve his game ever since to help his adopted English team work their way into the top four of both the Prem and the Challenge Cup.

“The group is a strong side, lots of strong players, lots of good qualities in the group. It was a challenge to come here, but I came here to improve and to challenge myself. There is no better challenge to play in a semi-final and play to be in the top four.”

Aside from tomorrow’s European game, Chiefs have an exciting run-in to the end of the Prem season with second-placed Bath lining up for a visit next weekend followed by away trips to Harlequins and Leicester before a final regular season fixture against Saracens at Sandy Park.

Zambonin said: “These games are going to be tough but that’s what makes it more special. This team can step up and enjoy these moments. We really need to be there for each other. So, if someone is feeling tired, we need to push them. Everybody is going to be really important in the next month.”

Watch the full interview with Zambonin below.