Lucia Gai (born 3 May 1991) is an Italian rugby union player. She plays as a Prop for Italy at an international level and for Valsugana at club level.

Lucia Gai
Gai before the match against Spain for the RWC 2021 qualification
Date of birth (1991-05-03) 3 May 1991 (age 33)
Place of birthPesaro, Italy
Height170 cm (5 ft 7 in)
Weight80 kg (176 lb; 12 st 8 lb)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Prop
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2008–2009 Pesaro (0)
2009–2010 Brenta Riviera (0)
2010–2011 Pesaro (0)
2011–2016 Brenta Riviera (0)
2016–2017 Valsugana 12 (0)
2017–2018 Rennes (0)
2018– Valsugana (0)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2009–  Italy 100 (15)

Rugby career

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Born in Pesaro, she started playing rugby as a centre; she then moved to Mira to play for Brenta Riviera, she converted to second row and subsequently to prop; she won the national title in her debut season for her new club and, at the same time, made her test debut for the national team in the 2009 FIRA Women's Trophy aged 18.[1][2]

Returning to Pesaro in 2010, she confirmed her place as a regular in the Italian team that took part in the 2011 Six Nations. She returned to Brenta Riviera for a second time in 2011. In 2016 she moved to Valsugana in Padua to finish her studies in motor sciences at the local university. She won two more championships with Valsugana in 2016 and 2017.

Gai joined French club, Rennes, in 2017. She competed at the 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup in Ireland with the national team where they reached ninth place overall.

During the 2024 Six Nations match against Wales, Gai became only the second Italian woman to become a centurion.[1][3]

References

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  1. ^ a b "DREAMS & SACRIFICE: LUCIA GAI THE CENTURION". www.sixnationsrugby.com. 2024-09-30. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
  2. ^ Savastano, Francesco Giannelli (2024-04-25). "Rugby - Sei Nazioni femminile 2024: Lucia Gai fa 100 caps in Azzurro". On Rugby (in Italian). Retrieved 2024-10-06.
  3. ^ Rendell, Sarah (2024-04-25). "Italy Women's Six Nations Squad 2024 - Gai to win 100 caps". Rugby World. Retrieved 2024-10-06.