He was born in Zimbabwe and grew up in South Africa, and represents Italy at international level, qualifying through his Italian father.

[2] Negri was born in Marondera, Zimbabwe – where his family owned a farm – to a Milanese father and an Anglo-Zimbabwean mother, who was the godmother of future Scotland international David Denton.

He moved to England in 2014 to study sports business management at Hartpury College, Gloucestershire, where he joined the rugby team.

[4][5] He was noticed by Roland de Marigny, a former Italian-South African player, who recommended him to the Italian Federation.

On 18 June 2016, while still in college, Negri debuted for the Italian national team in a victory over the United States in San Jose.