World Rugby and the wider rugby family mourns the passing of FIR Honorary President Giancarlo Dondi with a moment’s silence observed at the international federation’s Executive Board meeting in Hong Kong.
Dondi excelled as a second row for his hometown club of Parma and the for Fiamme Oro Padova.
At the conclusion of his playing career, Dondi went into rugby administration serving as Italian men’s Team Manager in the 1990s, Vice President of the FIR then President between 1996 and 2012. He was integral to Italy’s inclusion in the Six Nations in 2000.
A former member of the IRB Executive Committee (2012-2016), Dondi also served 20 years (1996-2016) as a member of World Rugby’s Council.
Remembering Giancarlo Dondi, World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson reflected: “There have been very few more influential figures in the history of Italian rugby than Giancarlo Dondi. The rugby family mourns his passing, and our thoughts are with his friends and family at this difficult time.
“Giancarlo left his mark on the sport like few others ever have. It is thanks to his work as President of the FIR that we have the Six Nations today, and Italian teams ranked in the world’s top 10 for both men and women. World Rugby is hugely grateful for his years of service on our Council, for his dedication to our sport and the wider rugby family. Grazie Giancarlo.”
