His father, called Giancarlo, was an international lock, being capped for Italy during the 1970s.

He was with the Italy national team at the World Cup in 1995 in South Africa, 1999 in Wales and in 2003 in Australia as well as in several tournaments.

Checchinato's international try total was an all-time record for forwards until 2007, when it was surpassed by Colin Charvis of Wales.

[citation needed] Currently he is the Italy national Team manager.

This biographical article relating to Italian rugby union is a stub.