Peter Sidoli Explained

Peter Sidoli
Birth Name:Peter Sidoli
Birth Date:10 June 1980
Birth Place:Merthyr Tydfil, Wales
Height:1.960NaN0
Weight:115kg (254lb)
Relatives:Robert Sidoli (brother)
Ru Position:Lock
Clubs1:Neath
Years2:2000–2001
Clubs2:Merthyr
Years3:2001–2003
Clubs3:Ebbw Vale
Years4:2003–2008
Apps4:114
Points4:20
Years5:2008–2009
Years6:2016–2017
Apps6:13
Points6:?

Peter Sidoli (born 10 June 1980) is a Welsh former rugby union player who played as a lock. Born in Merthyr Tydfil, he played for Neath,[1] Merthyr and Ebbw Vale,[2] before joining the Newport Gwent Dragons regional side as part of their inaugural squad in 2003.[3]

In June 2008, after 114 appearances for the Dragons, he joined Italian club Calvisano on a two-year contract.[4] At the end of the 2008–09 season, he played against his former side in a play-off match to decide the final qualifier for the 2009–10 Heineken Cup.[5] Following a change in the structure of professional rugby union in Italy that resulted in two Italian teams joining the Celtic League for the 2010–11 season, Sidoli left Calvisano midway through his contract in September 2009 and returned to Neath.[6] In May 2010, Sidoli started for Neath in the Welsh Premiership play-off final; the match finished 22–22, but Neath were awarded the win by virtue of having scored more tries (3–1), adding to the league title they won a few weeks earlier.[7] After retiring from rugby to focus on a new career as a fitness instructor, Sidoli returned to the game in 2016 to play for Pontypridd, where his brother, former Wales international Robert Sidoli, was coaching. He made 13 appearances before retiring again at the end of the 2016–17 season.[8]

Sidoli's father, Primo, emigrated to Wales from Bardi, Emilia-Romagna, which meant Sidoli was qualified to play international rugby for Italy. However, he chose to represent Wales at under-21 level.[9] In May 2004, Sidoli was called up to the Wales senior squad for their summer tour to Argentina and South Africa.[10] He was named on the bench for the pre-tour match against the Barbarians at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol, and came on in the 75th minute of a 42–0 win;[11] however, Wales did not award caps for the game and Sidoli did not play in any of the games in Argentina or South Africa.

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Neat win for Neath . BBC Sport . 12 May 2000 . 4 September 2023 .
  2. News: Neath duo make Gnoll exit . BBC Sport . 8 June 2001 . 4 September 2023 .
  3. News: Wales' regional teams . BBC Sport . 28 July 2003 . 4 September 2023 .
  4. News: Sidoli makes switch to Calvisano . BBC Sport . 30 June 2008 . 4 September 2023 .
  5. News: Gareth . Roberts . Calvisano 17-42 NG Dragons . BBC Sport . 29 May 2009 . 4 September 2023 .
  6. News: Lock Sidoli links up with Neath . BBC Sport . 2 September 2009 . 4 September 2023 .
  7. News: Neath 22-22 Swansea . BBC Sport . 22 May 2010 . 4 September 2023 .
  8. Web site: Sidoli, Peter . ponty.net . Pontypridd RFC . 4 September 2023 .
  9. News: Henson given Wales 'A' start . BBC Sport . 27 February 2001 . 27 February 2023 .
  10. News: Wales turn to youth . BBC Sport . 17 May 2004 . 14 October 2016 .
  11. Book: Eric . Lemon . John M. . Jenkins . They Played Rugby for Wales 1881-2022 . 223 . 2023 . 4 September 2023 .