Benetton v Glasgow Warriors - teams and predictions
URC ROUND ONE: Edoardo Padovani has set his sights on Glasgow Warriors after Benetton clinched a dramatic late victory over Edinburgh in their final pre-season fixture.
Benetton welcome Glasgow to Treviso for their United Rugby Championship opener on Friday, but warmed up with a 29-26 win that came courtesy of an 80th-minute penalty try.
The circumstances were not dissimilar to last season’s clash between the sides in Italy, when Leonardo Marin’s last-gasp drop goal delivered a 28-27 victory for the home side, while Glasgow was also seen off by a late Marin penalty the last term.
“It is a great example that we have given, first of all to us, then to our fans and opponents,” explained Padovani.
“Now we must immediately get to work to bring home the next match against Glasgow.”
On his side’s performance, Padovani added: “It was a very physical test. We knew Edinburgh were a team with high physicality, which is one of their best weapons. We had to respond well in defence and I think we did.
“There were some inaccuracies in the tackle in some situations and we need to improve the discipline but, on the positive side, the forwards certainly did a great job.
“I am very happy for them and for the amount of work that has helped the team to win.
“The hunger to want to win a friendly is an excellent sign we are fine.
“Personally, I made some inaccuracies with the boot and in defence. I missed a few one-on-ones and have things to work on this week. But I am happy with the try and to have given my contribution.”
Benetton won their last two URC matches since their 29-37 defeat to the Lions in Johannesburg in April.
Benetton won their last two home matches in the URC since their reversal to Connacht at Stadio Monigo on April 2.
The Italians have lost just one of their last seven home matches against Scottish opponents: 19-38 to Glasgow Warriors in January 2020.
Glasgow Warriors have lost their last four United Rugby Championship encounters since beating Zebre 40-12 at Scotstoun on April 1.
Warriors have not lost five in succession in the competition since 2011.
Glasgow’s only defeat to an Italian side last season was in this equivalent visit to Stadio Monigo, 18-19 in November 2021.
The last four fixtures between the two sides have all been won by the home team on the day, whilst Glasgow’s only victory in Treviso since 2016 came in January 2020.
Dewaldt Duvenage was named as Benetton captain, with Giacomo Da Re starting at No.10.
Kyle Steyn will captain Glasgow Warriors for the first time in a competitive match, also making his 50th appearance.
Tom Jordan, Lucio Sordoni and Sintu Manjezi will make their debut.
What they said
Benetton coach Marco Bortolami: “The match against Glasgow Warriors will be immediately important. Our strength has always been to focus on ourselves, aware of our strengths and it is on those that we need to work on.
Physically we are well, against Edinburgh it was the most evident aspect over the whole 80 minutes, at the end of preseason is one of the most important aspects. Having the chance to make the debut in the championship in front of our fans will be an extra incentive”
Glasgow Warriors coach Franco Smith: “We’re all excited to get our season underway tomorrow evening in Treviso. The boys have all worked extremely hard throughout pre-season and tomorrow gives them the opportunity to show the results.
“Lucio, Sintu and Tom have all earned the opportunity to make their debut for the club tomorrow and we look forward to seeing them make their mark in a Warriors jersey. Benetton is a fit attacking-minded team who likes to run the ball from everywhere and we’ll need to be at our best tomorrow in Treviso.”
Prediction
@rugby365com: Benetton by nine points
Teams
Benetton: 15 Rhyno Smith, 14 Edoardo Padovani, 13 Ignacio Brex, 12 Joaquin Riera, 11 Ignacio Mendy, 10 Giacomo Da Re, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage (captain), 8 Lorenzo Cannone, 7 Manuel Zuliani, 6 Giovanni Pettinelli, 5 Federico Ruzza, 4 Scott Scrafton, 3 Simone Ferrari, 2 Gianmarco Lucchesi, 1 Ivan Nemer.
Replacements: 16 Giacomo Nicotera, 17 Federico Zani, 18 Tiziano Pasquali, 19 Niccolò Cannone, 20 Michele Lamaro, 21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, 22 Marco Zanon, 23 Mattia Bellini.
Glasgow Warriors: 15 Cole Forbes, 14 Sebastian Cancelliere, 13 Sione Tuipulotu, 12 Stafford McDowall, 11 Kyle Steyn (captain), 10 Tom Jordan, 9 George Horne, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Matt Fagerson, 6 Sintu Manjezi, 5 Richie Gray, 4 Lewis Bean, 3 Lucio Sordoni, 2 Fraser Brown, 1 Jamie Bhatt.
Replacements: 16 Johnny Matthews, 17 Oliver Kebble, 18 Zander Fagerson, 19 Scott Cummings, 20 Rory Darge, 21 Thomas Gordon, 22 Ali Price, 23 Duncan Weir.
Date: Friday, September 16
Venue: Stadio Monigo, Treviso
Kick-off: 18.30 (17.30 Ireland & UK time; 16.30 GMT)
Referee: Frank Murphy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Federico Vedovelli (Italy), Manuel Bottino (Italy)
TMO: Brian McNeice (Ireland)
