Tommaso Boni Bio
Tommaso Boni is a professional rugby union player born on 15 January 1993 in Mestre, a district of Venice, Italy. Standing 1.87 m tall and competing at roughly 100 kg, he plays the centre position and is recognized for his physical presence in the midfield. After a long spell in Italian rugby, including a senior stint with Zebre Parma in the United Rugby Championship, he later moved to the United States, where he represents Old Glory DC in Major League Rugby. He is also an international player who has worn the jerseys of Italy and, more recently, the United States.
Born in Italy but eligible for the United States through a U.S.-born grandfather, Boni has built a career that bridges two national rugby cultures. His professional journey has taken him from Italian academy rugby to one of Europe’s top-tier club competitions, and on to the growing professional ranks of North American rugby. The combination of size, technical skill, and experience at multiple levels of the game has made him a notable figure in the modern Italian and American rugby landscapes.
Early Life and Background
Tommaso Boni was born on 15 January 1993 in Mestre, a mainland district of Venice in northeastern Italy. Growing up in the Veneto region, he was surrounded by a strong sporting tradition, and rugby quickly became the focal point of his athletic development. The Veneto area has long produced competitive rugby talent, and Boni’s early years reflected that environment, with structured training and youth competition shaping his game.
His stature and athletic build, which later defined his presence on the field, began to emerge during his teenage years. By the time he was old enough to join formal development programs, he had already developed the physical and technical traits of a modern centre. Italian rugby’s pathway, which feeds promising players from regional clubs into national academies, gave Boni an early entry into the sport’s competitive structure.
Path to Rugby
Boni’s introduction to senior rugby came through the F.I.R. Academy, the development program operated by the Italian Rugby Federation. In 2012, at the age of 19, he joined the academy system and spent the 2012 to 2013 season developing his skills at a high-performance level. This period allowed him to train alongside some of Italy’s most promising young players and to prepare for the demands of professional rugby.
In 2013, Boni moved to Rugby Mogliano, a club competing in Italy’s top domestic competitions. Over the following two seasons, he gained valuable senior experience, refining his game as a centre and building the physical and tactical foundation that would later serve him in international rugby. His performances at Mogliano attracted the attention of Zebre Parma, the Italian franchise in the United Rugby Championship, setting the stage for the next major step in his career.
Tommaso Boni Career
Early Career (2012–2015)
Tommaso Boni’s early professional career was split between the F.I.R. Academy and Rugby Mogliano. From 2012 to 2013, he trained and played within the federation’s academy structure, an environment designed to prepare Italian prospects for the professional ranks. This phase gave him a steady introduction to high-level training loads, structured competition, and the discipline required to progress.
From 2013 to 2015, Boni continued his development at Rugby Mogliano, where he became a regular contributor in the Italian domestic system. The club’s competitive schedule allowed him to test himself against experienced professionals and helped him earn recognition at the national level, including selection for Italy’s age-grade teams.
Zebre Parma Breakthrough (2015–2023)
In 2015, Boni earned a move to Zebre Parma, one of Italy’s two professional franchises competing in the Pro14 and later the United Rugby Championship. Joining Zebre marked a significant step up, as the team regularly faced top clubs from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, South Africa, and New Zealand. Boni spent eight seasons with the franchise, becoming a familiar face in the Italian midfield and gaining extensive experience against some of the sport’s best players.
During his time at Zebre Parma, Boni became a reliable performer in the centre position, contributing both in attack and in defensive duties. He was part of squads that competed in the Guinness PRO14 and the early seasons of the rebranded United Rugby Championship, an environment that demanded consistency and physical resilience. His tenure at Zebre, which lasted until October 2023, established him as a seasoned professional in European rugby.
Old Glory DC Era (2023–2025)
In 2023, Boni made the move across the Atlantic to join Old Glory DC in Major League Rugby, the top professional rugby competition in the United States. The transition allowed him to take on a new challenge while bringing European experience to a North American franchise. He played for Old Glory DC from 2023 to 2025, contributing his international pedigree to the team’s midfield.
His time in Major League Rugby added a new chapter to his career, exposing him to a fast-growing league and a different style of play. Although his stint with Old Glory DC has been relatively short compared to his Zebre years, the move highlighted his adaptability and his willingness to embrace new rugby environments. As of 2025, his career is set to continue at Rugby Mogliano, where he is scheduled to return to the Italian domestic system.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a centre, Boni brings a strong combination of size, ball-carrying power, and tactical awareness. His 1.87 m frame and 100 kg playing weight allow him to compete physically in both contact and collision situations, while his experience at the professional level supports a structured approach to defensive lines and attacking shape. He is well suited to the demands of modern professional rugby, where centres are expected to be complete players in both phases of the game.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Boni’s career came on 5 August 2023, when he made his debut for the United States national team against Romania. He followed that up with another appearance against Georgia on 19 August 2023, both matches part of the 2023 Summer Series in Europe. These appearances made him one of the few players to have represented both Italy and the United States at the senior international level.
Tommaso Boni Career Wins
While detailed records of individual match wins are not fully documented in available sources, Boni’s career is defined by longevity at high levels of the sport. Across his time with Rugby Mogliano, Zebre Parma, and Old Glory DC, he has accumulated extensive experience in domestic and continental competitions, contributing to team efforts in Italy’s Serie A Elite, the United Rugby Championship, and Major League Rugby.
Zebre Parma Highlights
Boni’s most significant professional tenure came at Zebre Parma, where he played from 2015 to October 2023. During those eight seasons, he was part of Italy’s professional rugby structure and competed against top-tier opposition in the Pro14 and United Rugby Championship. His consistency and durability made him a dependable presence in the Zebre midfield throughout a demanding era of Italian professional rugby.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his club career, Boni has represented Italy at the Under 20 level in 2012 and 2013, played for Emerging Italy in 2014, and was part of the senior Italy squad in 2016. He has also been a regular contributor at the domestic level with Rugby Mogliano, where he returned to begin and end his senior career. His performances across these environments have built a well-rounded résumé in both Italian and international rugby.
Tommaso Boni Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Tommaso Boni was born in Mestre, Venice, into an Italian family with ties to the United States through his grandfather, who was born in America. This U.S. family connection later became significant in his international career, as it made him eligible to represent the United States national rugby team. His dual heritage ultimately allowed him to switch national allegiance after years of playing for Italy at various age-grade and senior levels.
Personal Life
Boni has built much of his adult life around rugby, moving from Italy to the United States as part of his professional career. Public details about his personal relationships, marital status, or children are not widely documented in available sources, and he appears to keep his private life out of the public eye. His professional commitments across multiple countries reflect a lifestyle shaped by the demands of the sport.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks a transitional period for Tommaso Boni, who is set to return to Rugby Mogliano after his time with Old Glory DC in Major League Rugby. His departure from Old Glory DC after the 2025 campaign signals a return to familiar surroundings in Italy’s domestic competition, where he began his senior career. The move offers him the opportunity to contribute to a club where he has already built strong ties.
At the international level, Boni remains eligible for the United States following his 2023 debut and could be considered for future selection based on his experience and form. His profile as a dual-international centre, with caps for both Italy and the United States, makes him a valuable asset in any squad he joins. As 2025 unfolds, attention will be on how his return to Mogliano shapes both his club form and his prospects in international rugby.