Italian lock faces surgery

INJURY UPDATE: Italian lock Dean Budd has undergone surgery on a fractured hand.

The 33-year-old New Zealand-born international fractured a metacarpal bone in his right hand during the team’s Champions Cup loss to Leinster on November 11.

“The surgery succeeded to perfection,” the club said.

Budd joined Benetton in 2012 and gained eligibility to play for Italy by way of residency two years later.

Benetton next plays at French club Lyon in the Champions Cup, with both teams looking for their first win in Pool One.