Polledri hopes to be cream of crop despite revealing Welsh roots
IF events had taken a different turn, Jake Polledri could have been wearing the red of Wales at the Principality Stadium this weekend, rather than the blue of Italy.
That’s because the Gloucester flanker’s late grandfather, John, was born in Abertillery in the Gwent valleys.
He moved to Devon to work in an ice cream factory and it was there he met his wife, Jake’s nan, who had come over from her home just outside Rome.
They ended up settling in Bristol and that’s where the 24-year-old Polledri was born and bred.
So it could have been England, Wales or Italy for him.
In the end, it’s the Azzurri he’s thrown his lot in with and hence he finds himself in Cardiff preparing for tomorrow’s Six Nations opener.
Explaining the family history, he said: “My grandfather on my dad’s side was born in Abertillery. That’s my link on the Welsh side.
“He moved because there was an ice cream factory that was something to do with the family down in Devon. It was called Kelly’s. He worked there.
“My nan, who was born outside Rome, came over from Italy and worked in the factory too.
“She didn’t speak much English, so she worked in the ice cream factory because she knew there were people there she could speak to in the Italian community. That’s where they met. They then moved to Bristol from down south.” The rest as they say is history. Their son, Peter Polledri, played a remarkable 466 games in the back row for Bristol and also represented England at U18s, U19s and captained the U23s.
He never won a full cap, but now his son, Jake, has gone on to do so with Italy, having answered the call from the Azzurri.
“I was always aware I was eligible for three countries, ever since I wanted to take rugby seriously really,” said Jake.
“My dad, coming from a rugby background, probably knew that himself. My granddad from Wales passed away before I was born, while the Italian side of my family is pretty strong.
“I played for Italy U20s, which was a big thing back when you were that age.
“I played in the Six Nations and the World Cup and that was an amazing experience.
“Then once I started playing for Gloucester and doing quite well, Conor O’Shea was on the phone.
“It was a bit of a no-brainer for me, having that U20s tie and having the phone call to represent the first team.
“I wouldn’t say it took me too long to say yes and take up the opportunity.”
Polledri made his Test debut against Scotland in March 2018 and now has 13 caps to his name.
Having been arguably Italy’s outstanding player at the World Cup, his form demanded a Six Nations starting spot and he has duly been handed the No 6 jersey for Saturday.
It won’t be his first visit to the Principality Stadium, but it will be his first time playing there.
“I was fortunate enough to be travelling reserve two years ago, so I’ve had a little snippet of the atmosphere,” he said.
“But it’s going to be a different story being on the pitch and able to play.
“It’s going to be crazy.”
Italy:
M Minozzi (Wasps); L Sarto, L Morisi (both Benetton), C Canna, M Bellini (both Zebre); T Allan (Benetton), C Braley (Gloucester); A Lovotti, L Bigi (capt), G Zilocchi (all Zebre), A Zanni (Benetton), N Cannone (Petrarca), J Polledri (Gloucester), S Negri, A Steyn (both Benetton), Reps: F Zani (Benetton), D Fischetti (Zebre), M Riccioni, D Budd, M Lazzaroni (all Benetton), G Licata, G Palazzini (both Zebre), J Hayward (Benetton).