Benetton Rugby
Full nameBenetton Rugby
UnionFederazione Italiana Rugby
Founded1932 (1932)
LocationTreviso, Italy
Ground(s)Stadio Comunale di Monigo (Capacity: 5,000)
PresidentAmerino Zatta
Coach(es)Marco Bortolami
Captain(s)Dewaldt Duvenage
Michele Lamaro
League(s)United Rugby Championship
2022–239th (Scottish/Italian Shield: 2nd)
1st kit
2nd kit
Official website
www.benettonrugby.it

Benetton Rugby, also known as Benetton Treviso (Italian pronunciation: [ˌbenetˈtoŋ ˈrɛɡbi treˈviːzo] or Italian pronunciation: [ˌbenetˈtoŋ ˈraɡbi treˈviːzo]), is an Italian professional rugby union team based in Treviso, Veneto competing in the United Rugby Championship, the European Rugby Challenge Cup and European Champions Cup. Treviso rugby team was founded in 1932 and has won 15 Italian national championships. The team has been owned by the Benetton clothing company since 1979. Treviso have competed in the United Rugby Championship (formerly the Pro14 and Pro12) since 2010, and have previously competed in the Italian domestic championship.

Treviso have supplied many players to the Italian national team, such as Alessandro Zanni and Leonardo Ghiraldini. Conversely, several notable foreign internationals have played for Treviso, including Rugby World Cup winners Craig Green, John Kirwan and Michael Lynagh. The President of Treviso Rugby is Amerino Zatta. Since 1982, the club has also had a women's team, known as Red Panthers, which has won 16 national championships.[1]

History

Amateur era: 1932–1995

Treviso rugby team was founded in 1932. The club won its first honour when it took the 1956 Italian premiership. Benetton Treviso won its first Italian Cup in 1970 and in 1978 won the Italian premiership again. The year after Benetton became the main sponsor, the team's name became "Benetton Rugby Treviso". Treviso won the domestic premiership in 1983, then again in 1989 and in the 1992 season.

Professional era: 1995–present

Benetton Treviso Rugby turned professional after 1995. They dominated the Italian league from 1997 until 2010, winning the championship 10 times (1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010) during those 14 seasons and twice finishing second.[2] They also won the Italian Cup in 1998.

Benetton Treviso has competed in the Heineken Cup competition almost every year since the competition began in 1995 along with the professional era. Benetton Treviso competed in the inaugural 1995–96 Heineken Cup, winning one game and losing one. The following season they played four matches, winning one game. In the 1998–99 Heineken Cup, they won three games. Benetton Treviso spent the 2000–01 and 2002–03 seasons in the European Challenge Cup, but have appeared in the Heineken Cup in each season since then. They won half of their games during the 2004–05 Heineken Cup, but won only one match in the following four seasons (at Newport Gwent Dragons in 2007). In the 2009–10 Heineken Cup opener, they defeated reigning French Top 14 champions Perpignan 9–8 in Treviso.

Following the 2009–10 season, Treviso left the Italian domestic competition and in 2010–11 was one of two Italian teams to join the Celtic League to play against clubs from Ireland, Wales and Scotland. The new league was to be known as the Pro12. Both Italian teams were guaranteed places annually into the Heineken Cup, which had previously been awarded to the two top teams in the domestic Italian National Championship of Excellence.[3] An agreement had been reached in early March 2010 to allow two Italian teams a place in the Celtic League. In 2010, it was proposed that Aironi and a new team, Praetorians Roma, would join,[4] but Treviso were nominated instead. Treviso and a combination of Duchi Nord-Ovest rugby clubs could not agree to form one regional representative club and lost out in the first round of bidding.[5] However, Pretorians Roma failed to satisfy financial criteria, and Treviso instead joined the Pro12.[6]

Treviso finished their first two season in the Pro12 (2010–11 and 2011–12) in 10th place, while in the 2012–13 season they finished 7th with 50 points. In the next three seasons, Treviso performed poorly, ending 11th, 11th and 12th out of twelve teams. After that, a new head coach was engaged for the 2016/2017 season, the New Zealander Kieran Crowley. The former All Black formed a new coaching team with two ex-Italian internationals, Marco Bortolami and Fabio Ongaro. Treviso finished the season in 10th place.

In 2017/2018, the championship was joined by two South Africans teams, becoming the Pro14, and was divided into two conferences. This season Treviso nearly reached the European Rugby Champions Cup play-offs, ending 5th in the conference with 55 points. For first time since Treviso joined this league the club has been able to record more wins than losses (11 against 10).

Ahead of the 2017/18 season, Benetton Rugby Treviso was renamed Benetton Rugby. From 2022/23 season, he instituted an Academy Under 23 and a territorial Academy Under 19.[7]

Honours

Current standings

2023–24 United Rugby Championship
Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts
1Ireland Leinster9702257161+9636205134
2Italy Benetton9711192161+3122222032
3Scotland Glasgow Warriors9603244192+5236196131
4Ireland Ulster9603217208+926302228
5Scotland Edinburgh9603200198+222251126
6South Africa Bulls8503294182+11240214226
7South Africa Stormers9504213163+5026223326
8Wales Ospreys9504203180+2327214125
9Ireland Connacht9504215215024281324
10Ireland Munster9414184153+3123163324
11South Africa Lions8404230175+5529213423
12Wales Cardiff9315227204+2329262521
13Wales Scarlets9207148310–16219412212
14Italy Zebre Parma9117194319–12527463312
15Wales Dragons9207142306–16416420210
16South Africa Sharks9108173206–332325149
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:[8]
  1. number of matches won;
  2. the difference between points for and points against;
  3. the number of tries scored;
  4. the most points scored;
  5. the difference between tries for and tries against;
  6. the fewest red cards received;
  7. the fewest yellow cards received.
Green background indicates teams that are play-off places and earn a place in the 2024–25 European Champions Cup

Plain background indicates teams that earn a place in the 2024–25 European Challenge Cup.
Q: qualified for play-offs. H: home field advantage secured for quarter-and semi-final. h; home field advantage secured for quarter-final X: cannot reach play-offs. E: qualified for Champions Cup.

    Season records

    Celtic League / Pro12

    Season Pos Played Won Drawn Lost Bonus Points
    2010–1110th229013238
    2011–1210th227015836
    2012–137th2210210650
    2013–1411th225116830
    2014–1511th223118519
    2015–1612th223019820
    2016–1710th225017323

    Pro14

    Season Conference Pos Played Won Drawn Lost Bonus Points
    2017–18Conference B5th21110101155
    2018–19 Conference B3rd211128957
    Quarter-finalMunster 15–13 Benetton Rugby
    2019–20Conference B5th156181036
    2020–21Conference B6th16011577

    Pro14 Rainbow Cup

    Season Pos Played Won Drawn Lost Bonus Points
    20211st5401222
    FinalBenetton Rugby 35–8 Bulls

    United rugby Championship

    Season Pos Played Won Drawn Lost Bonus Points
    2021-2213th186111935
    2022-2311th188010941

    Heineken Cup / European Rugby Champions Cup

    Season Pool/Round Pos Played Won Drawn Lost Bonus Points
    1995–96Pool 12nd210102
    1996–97Pool 14th410302
    1997–98Pool 53rd620404
    1998–99Pool 43rd630306
    1999–00Pool 53rd620404
    2001–02Pool 24th610502
    2003–04Pool 53rd610515
    2004–05Pool 23rd6303214
    2005–06Pool 44th600633
    2006–07Pool 14th600600
    2007–08Pool 14th610515
    2008–09Pool 34th600600
    2009–10Pool 14th610515
    2010–11Pool 54th600611
    2011–12Pool 54th611417
    2012–13Pool 24th610515
    2013–14Pool 54th600600
    2014–15Pool 54th610504
    2015–16Pool 44th600600
    2017–18Pool 54th600644
    2019–20Pool 14th610526

    European Rugby Challenge Cup

    Season Pool/Round Pos Played Won Drawn Lost Bonus Points
    2000–01 Pool 12nd6501010
    2002–03 2nd round Newcastle Falcons 43 – 32 Treviso (aggregate score)
    2016–17 Pool 13rd620408
    2018–19 Pool 52nd6402420
    2020–21 Quarter-finals Montpellier Hérault Rugby 31 – 25 Treviso
    2021–22 Round of 16 Toulon Rugby 36 – 17 Treviso
    2022–23 Semi-finals Toulon Rugby 23 – 0 Treviso

    Stadium

    The team play at the Stadio Comunale di Monigo in Treviso, 4 km northwest of the city centre. The stadium has two covered stands and a capacity of 5,000.

    Staff and coaching team

    The staff for the 2023–24 season is:[9][10]

    Current squad

    Benetton United Rugby Championship squad[lower-alpha 1]

    Props

    Hookers

    Locks

    Back row

    Scrum-halves

    Fly-halves

    Centres

    Wings

    Fullbacks

    (cc) denotes the team co-captains, Bold denotes internationally capped players.
    * denotes players qualified to play for Italy on residency or dual nationality.
    L denotes a player on loan at the club.
    Players and their allocated positions from the Benetton Rugby website.[11]
    1. ↑ Taking into account signings and departures head of 2023–24 season as listed on List of 2023–24 United Rugby Championship transfers.

    Additional player squad

    Benetton Additional Players squad [lower-alpha 1][lower-alpha 2][lower-alpha 3][lower-alpha 4]

    Props

    Hookers

    Locks

    Back row

    Scrum-halves

    Fly-halves

    Centres

    Wings

    Fullbacks

    (c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped players.
    * denotes players qualified to play for Italy on residency or dual nationality.
    Players and their allocated positions from the Benetton Rugby website and F.I.R. website.[17][18]
    1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Academy player on loan to Serie A Elite team Mogliano[12][13][14]
    2. 1 2 3 4 5 Academy player on loan to Serie A Elite team Rangers Vicenza Rugby[15]
    3. 1 2 Academy player on loan to Serie A Elite team Rovigo Delta
    4. 1 2 Academy player on loan to Serie A Elite team Viadana[16]

    Selected former players

    Italian players

    Former players who have played for Benetton and have caps for Italy

    Overseas players

    Former players who have played for Benetton and have caps for their Representative Team

    I Dogi

    Treviso is an executive member of the historical territorial representative of I Dogi (the Doges) that have recovered in 2015 and represents several clubs in Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia.[19] Currently no provision is made for a selection Seniors who take the field with the shirt of The Doges: to represent its brand and colors are at this stage the representative under-14, under-16 male and female under-18 male and female managed by Veneto Regional Committee. May occur during the right conditions, there is still the desire to be able to field, even if it is currently not a priority.[20]

    In the past, Dogi was a historical invitational team that included the best players of Triveneto, area of Italy in which this sport is very widespread. The team was founded on 17 December 1973 in Treviso, and played its last game on 17 November 1993. In twenty years they played 22 games with teams of international level, collecting 15 victories. The selection shirt was red, with golden edges.

    Benetton Women

    Since November 2023, the Franchise has also had a women's team, which plays official tests with Spanish team.[21]

    See also

    References

    1. ↑ "AVVIATO IL NUOVO PROGETTO BENETTON RUGBY RED PANTHERS". Benetton Rugby. 15 June 2022. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
    2. ↑ National Championship of Excellence
    3. ↑ "Italian teams to join Magners League". RTÉ News. 8 March 2010.
    4. ↑ "Celtic League 2008/09 News : Aironi and Praetorians set for Magners League | Live Rugby News | ESPN Scrum". Scrum.com. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
    5. ↑ "International Rugby Union | Italy Rugby Union News". Planet Rugby. 21 July 2009. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
    6. ↑ "Tue, Nov 03, 2009 – Italians' bid to join the League not a done deal". The Irish Times. 11 November 2009. Archived from the original on 18 October 2012. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
    7. ↑ "BENETTON RUGBY ANNUNCIA L'ACCADEMIA DELLA MARCA UNDER 19". Benetton Rugby. 7 June 2022. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
    8. ↑ League Format (3) "Competition Rules". United Rugby Championship. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
    9. ↑ "Staff". Benetton Rugby.
    10. ↑ "Definito lo Staff tecnico". Benetton Rugby.
    11. ↑ "Team". Benetton Rugby (in Italian). Retrieved 29 July 2020.
    12. ↑ "Rugby - Serie A Elite, tante conferme e un ritorno di fiamma per il Mogliano". On Rugby.it. 28 June 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
    13. ↑ "TRE GIOVANI UNDER 20 DAL MONDIALE SUDAFRICANO IN MAGLIA BIANCOBLU'". Rugby Mogliano (in Italian).
    14. ↑ "IL NAZIONALE UNDER 20 DEWI PASSARELLA CON LA MAGLIA DEL MOGLIANO VENETO RUGBY". Rugby Mogliano (in Italian).
    15. ↑ "Serie A Elite: la presentazione della Rangers in Sala Stucchi a Vicenza" (in Italian).
    16. ↑ "IL RUGBY VIADANA 1970 ACCOGLIE QUATTRO AZZURRINI". Rugby Viadana (in Italian).
    17. ↑ "Academy". Benetton Rugby (in Italian). Retrieved 30 March 2023.
    18. ↑ "DEFINITI I PERCORSI INDIVIDUALI DEGLI ATLETI DELL'ACCADEMIA DEL BENETTON RUGBY". Benetton Rugby (in Italian). Retrieved 20 July 2023.
    19. ↑ "I Dogi Ritrovano la Propria Anima Triveneta". Archived from the original on 14 July 2015. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
    20. ↑ "Nasce a Monigo l'Unione Rugby Dogi". Archived from the original on 14 July 2015. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
    21. ↑ "BENETTON E ZEBRE PARMA, DAL 2024 NASCONO LE FRANCHIGIE FEMMINILI". Benetton Rugby (in Italian). 16 November 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
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