Alessia Pilani

Pilani was born in Lugo but raised in Massa Lombarda.^[1][2] She participated in cycling until the age of 17, she won bronze in 2016 in the 500 m time trial at the Italian junior championship.^[1]

Pilani followed her brother and joined the Imola rugby club after years of cycling.^[1] Shortly after joining Colorno in 2019, club activities were cancelled for two seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

When the Serie A Elite competition resumed at the end of 2021, her performances in the following two seasons earned her a call-up to the national team against Wales on the final day of the 2023 Six Nations, however, she did not get to earn her first cap.^[3] She eventually made her international debut in July 2023, it was against Spain in Piacenza in an official qualifying match for the inaugural WXV tournament later that year.^[3][4]

At the end of the 2024–25 Serie A Elite season she moved to France to join Stade Bordelais.^[5]

Pilani was called-up to the side to compete in the 2025 Six Nations.^[2] She was subsequently named in the Italian squad for the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup in England.^[6][7]