Andrea Masi

Andrea Masi (born 30 March 1981) is an Italian rugby union footballer. His usual position is in the centres but he has also played at fly-half and at full-back. He currently plays for the English Premiership club Wasps.[2] In a 16-year international career lasting from 1999 to 2015, Masi won 95 caps for the Italy national team, and was a part of their squad at four World Cups in 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015.

Andrea Masi
Birth nameAndrea Masi
Date of birth (1981-03-30) 30 March 1981
Place of birthL'Aquila, Abruzzo, Italy
Height1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight105 kg (16 st 7 lb; 231 lb)[1]
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre / Fullback / Wing / Fly-half
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1997–2003
2003–2006
2006–2009
2009–2011
2011–2012
2012–2016		 L'Aquila
Viadana
Biarritz Olympique
Racing 92
Aironi
Wasps		 103
44
45
33
8
59		 (159)
(50)
(20)
(20)
(0)
(20)
Correct as of 28 August 2015
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
1999–2015 Italy 95 (65)
Correct as of 19 September 2015

Masi was born in L'Aquila, Abruzzo. He was recognized as a talented player at an early age, and he made his debut for L'Aquila at the age of 16. He was soon called up for national selection, and made his international debut for Italy against Spain in 1999. He became a regular in the Italian squad, but did not feature in the Six Nations until 2003 when he appeared against England.

He joined Viadana in 2003 and was also included in Italy's squad for the World Cup in Australia that year. He had his 2005 season disrupted by injury. In the 2008 Six Nations Championship, new coach Nick Mallett played Masi at fly-half, a role he had not played before but many experts believed this move was unsuccessful and he was moved to full-back for the start of the 2009 Six Nations Championship.

In March 2011, Masi was named the 2011 Six Nations Player of the Championship. Masi scored Italy's late try in their first ever Championship win against France.[3][4]

In June 2011 he joined the Pro12 Italian franchise Aironi. However, the team was discontinued in 2012, and Masi moved to England to join Wasps.[2]

References
  1. "FrenchRugbyClub Racing-Métro 92 squad". FrenchRugbyClub.com. Archived from the original on 16 August 2011. Retrieved 8 April 2011.
  2. "Wasps sign Italy centre Andrea Masi from defunct Aironi". The Guardian. 7 July 2012. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  3. "Masi wins Six Nations player award". Irish Times. 23 March 2011. Retrieved 23 March 2011.
  4. "Italy's Andrea Masi voted Player of the Six Nations". BBC News Sport. 23 March 2010. Archived from the original on 1 April 2011. Retrieved 23 March 2011.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.