Ross Vintcent

Ross Vintcent (born 5 June 2002) is a South African-born Italian rugby union player who plays as a flanker for Exeter Chiefs.^[1]

Ross Vintcent

Vintcent in 2022
Birth name	Ross Michael Alwyn Vintcent
Date of birth	(2002-06-05) 5 June 2002 (age 23)
Place of birth	Johannesburg, South Africa
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight	98 kg (15.4 st; 216 lb)
School	Bishops Diocesan College
University	University of Exeter
Notable relative(s)	Dylan Todd, Michele Pomario
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker / Number 8 Current team Exeter Chiefs Youth career 2020−2022 F.I.R. Academy Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 2022−2023 Exeter University () Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2020–2022 F.I.R. Academy - (-) 2022 → Zebre Parma 3 (0) 2022− Exeter Chiefs 39 (60) Correct as of 27 June 2025 International career Years Team Apps (Points) 2021–2022 Italy U20 12 (10) 2024– Italy 17 (10) Correct as of 12 July 2025

Club career

Vintcent was named in the F.I.R. Academy for the 2020–2021 and 2021–22 seasons, having been allocated by the Italian Rugby Union. In May 2022 he was added at list of Permit player of Zebre Parma.^[2][3] He made his debut in the re-arranged Round 12 of the 2021–22 United Rugby Championship against Cardiff.^[4]

In September 2022, he began studying at the University of Exeter and became involved with Exeter Chiefs through the Exeter University Rugby Club. He went on to make his debut that month in the Premiership Rugby Cup in an away fixture against Bristol Bears.^[5] In January 2025, he scored a solo wonder try from his own 10-metre line in a defeat against Ulster in the Champions Cup.^[6]

International career

Despite being born in South Africa, Vintcent qualifies to play for Italy through his maternal grandfather.^[7] In 2021 and 2022, he was named in Italy U20s squad for annual Six Nations Under 20s Championship.^[8][9] On 10 January 2023, he was named in Italy A squad for a uncapped test against Romania A.^[10]

On 16 January 2024, he was named in Italy squad for 2024 Six Nations Championship. He made his debut against Ireland.^{[11] [12]}

During the 2025 Six Nations, he scored his first try in a Six Nations fixture finishing a break setup by Ange Capuozzo in a 47–24 defeat to England.^[13] The following week received a 20-minute red card after a high challenge on Robbie Henshaw during a 22–17 defeat to Ireland in the final round of the tournament.^[14]

Personal life

Vintcent is currently studying for an Economics degree at the University of Exeter.^[15] To help supplement his income, he had a job delivering Domino's Pizzas alongside his studies and playing rugby in Exeter.^[16]