Marco Bortolami

Team: Gloucester RFC
Date of Birth: June 6,1980
Place of Birth: Padova, Italy
Position: Lock

Bortolami began his rugby career at age 18 in the second row with Padova. Soon, he was named captain of Italy's Under-21 team before his international debut against Namibia in 2001. He was then named the Italian National team’s youngest captain when the Azzurri played the All Blacks. At the age of 22, Bortolami was made Italy's youngest ever captain against New Zealand. Bortolami joined Gloucester RFC last summer after playing the last two seasons with the French team, Narbonne. He has won 45 international caps. He describes himself as being quiet, determined, ambitious and would love to see rugby grow in popularity in his home country of Italy.