It looks as if the struggling Italian side will not be competing in the upcoming season’s competition

The Italian Rugby Federation published a statement today that Zebre have contacted them and wish to leave the Pro12. The document also indicates the franchise will be dissolved completely with a new one to be created.

Here is the statement in full.( Via Google Translate)

The Rugby Italian Federation has taken note of the communication received from the Company “Zebre Rugby Srl”, in which the writer expressed his renunciation to participate in the Guinness PRO12 2017/18.

Deliberate the establishment of the ” Zebre Rugby Club Company ” to ensure the participation of two Italian teams in the competition in order to comply with the agreements in place with the Celtic Rugby Board, and determined to appoint the new director of the new company to Mr. Andrea Dalledonne and Mr. Diego Rivetti as the only Mayor, FIR leaders will meet on Monday 24 July in Parma – together with the new directors – members of the staff and players of the franchise to start the operating processes of  “Zebre Rugby Club”  and define as soon as possible Contracts with technical cadres, athletes and staff of the new Society.

For a new franchise to be created, it has to be approved by the Federal Council as there would be no insurance or contracts, therefore players could not train.

There will be a meeting in Parma today to discuss how they will deal with this and how soon they can form a new franchise.