Ross Vintcent

Ross Vintcent

Birth name	Ross Michael Alwyn Vintcent
Date of birth	(2002-06-05) 5 June 2002 (age 22)
Place of birth	Johannesburg, South Africa
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight	98 kg (15.4 st; 216 lb)
School	Bishops Diocesan College
University	University of Exeter
Notable relative(s)	Dylan Todd, Michele Pomario
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker / Number 8 Current team Exeter Chiefs Youth career 2020−2022 F.I.R. Academy Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 2022−2023 Exeter University () Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2020–2022 F.I.R. Academy - (-) 2022 → Zebre Parma 3 (0) 2022− Exeter Chiefs 36 (60) Correct as of 18 January 2025 International career Years Team Apps (Points) 2021–2022 Italy U20 12 (10) 2024– Italy 9 (5) Correct as of 18 January 2025

Ross Vintcent (born 5 June 2002) is a South African-born Italian rugby union player who plays as a flanker for Exeter Chiefs. ^[1]

Club career

Vintcent was named in the F.I.R. Academy for the 2020–2021 and 2021–22 seasons, having been allocated by the Italian Rugby Union. In May 2022 he was added at list of Permit player of Zebre Parma. ^{[2] [3]} He made his debut in the re-arranged Round 12 of the 2021–22 United Rugby Championship against Cardiff. ^[4]

In September 2022, he began studying at the University of Exeter and became involved with Exeter Chiefs through the Exeter University Rugby Club. He went on to make his debut that month in the Premiership Rugby Cup in an away fixture against Bristol Bears. ^[5] In January 2025, he scored a solo wonder try from his own 10-metre line in a defeat against Ulster in the Champions Cup. ^[6]

International career

Despite being born in South Africa, Vintcent qualifies to play for Italy through his maternal grandfather. ^[7] In 2021 and 2022, he was named in Italy U20s squad for annual Six Nations Under 20s Championship. ^{[8] [9]} On 10 January 2023, he was named in Italy A squad for a uncapped test against Romania A. ^[10]

On 16 January 2024, he was named in Italy squad for 2024 Six Nations Championship. He made his debut against Ireland. ^{[11] [12]}

Personal life

Vintcent is currently studying for an Economics degree at the University of Exeter. ^[13] To help supplement his income, he had a job delivering Domino's Pizzas alongside his studies and playing rugby in Exeter. ^[14]

References

1. "Ross Vintcent". Ultimate Rugby. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
2. "L'accademie fir a Parma per il 2021/22, poi due academie delle franchigie". F.I.R. Rugby. 6 September 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
3. "SMITH E VINTCENT VICINI ALL'ESORDIO CON LE ZEBRE E NELLO UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP". Zebre. 5 May 2022. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
4. "United Rugby Championship: Cardiff 42-14 Zebre". BBC Sport. 6 May 2022. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
5. "Ross Vintcent Profile". Exeter Chiefs. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
6. "Match Report: Ulster 52 – 24 Exeter Chiefs". Exeter Chiefs. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
7. Lyall, Jamie. "Ross Vintcent: 'I was lost, up the creek without a paddle'". RugbyPass. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
8. "Italia U20, Gli Azzurrini Convocati per Il Sei Nazioni 2021".
9. "UNDER 20, OUT BERNARDINELLO E RUBINATO, CONVOCATI ARTUSO E VACCARI".
10. "ITALIA A, GLI AZZURRI CONVOCATI PER IL MATCH CONTRO LA ROMANIA A". Italy Rugby Union (in Italian). 10 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
11. "ITALRUGBY, GLI AZZURRI CONVOCATI PER IL RADUNO DI VERONA IN PREPARAZIONE AL GUINNESS SEI NAZIONI". www.federugby.it. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
12. Richardson, Charles (20 February 2024). "Ross Vintcent interview: The Domino's delivery driver playing for Exeter and Italy". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
13. Sandes, Duncan. "Exeter rugby set for starring role in Six Nations". University of Exeter. University of Exeter. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
14. "From Domino's Delivery to Six Nations Glory: The Rise of Ross Vintcent". Six Nations. Retrieved 18 January 2025.