The cup with the South Africans from 24 April: start from the Warriors And today in Glasgow Crowley tries to avoid another debacle
/ TREVISO
The Pro 14 (apparently) for Benetton ends today, given the difficulties for the recovery in Edinburgh, with the Warriors; but instead, sweeping away the darkest clouds, the rainbow arrives: the Rainbow Cup will take place, and how, and will begin in a month, on the weekend of April 24, against (look at) the Warriors. The brain of the Celtic Board has not shown great imagination towards the Lions, who in the midst of these matches against the Scots will have that, on April 3, against Agen in Challenge and, if they pass the turn, maybe again the Scots themselves
THE SOUTH AFRICANES ARE ARRIVING
Yesterday was the compilation of the first three days. As mentioned, the Lions start on the 24th or 25th in Monigo against the Warriors of the Highlands, then (as hoped given the pandemic in progress) they will play twice with the Zebras, first in Parma and then in Treviso. Then three more races: the teams that have played so far will face the four new South African franchises for the first time, namely Vodacom Bulls, Emirates Lions, Cell C Sharks and Dhl Stormers: all will play the three matches in Europe, subject to confirmation of the travel authorizations from competent authorities and governments. This format will ensure that no European team will travel to South Africa. And it is already a success, given the risk of seeing them at the stake due to the pandemic. Altogether there are six rounds (eight games per round) and the teams will compete in a single ranking. The first two will compete in the final on June 19th. Among other things, the Board has made some changes to the programming and format of the Rainbow Cup to limit travel, where possible, with the three opening rounds pushing on derbies in Ireland, Italy, Scotland, South Africa and Wales. David Jordan, director of the tournament, reveals a detail: “Throughout the Pro14 season we have maintained contact with the federations and their governments to ensure that the conditions established for elite sport are met”.
BELOW WITH THE WARRIORS
In the afternoon Benetton finally recovered the match postponed twice in Glasgow, the first due to Covid and the second due to bad weather. It is probably the last chance not to finish the championship – albeit reduced – with only defeats. Compared to the disappointing performance with Munster, Kieran Crowley changes more than half, also taking advantage of the return of some blues: Padovani for Hayward at the extreme, Zanon in the center for the injured Morisi, Petrozzi scrum midfielder for Duvenage, yet another bruised. In third there is Pettinelli for Favretto, second completely new with the blues Ruzza and Cannone to replace Snyman and Herbst, in first Alongi for Riccioni and, at the heel, Lucchesi for Baravalle. Trussardi and above all Appiah are back on the bench: for both there could be the debut of the season. Coach Danny Wilson: «The players have returned to the national team at Benetton and, like us, he will try to give himself some momentum».
THEN CHALLENGE TO THE “CIAPANÒ”
The Challenge Cup could also become the panacea for all ills. It is the competition in which the Lions have remained in contention thanks to their only seasonal success, the one at the Stade François. And next Saturday “play-off” in a single match in Monigo against the French of Agen, the only ones in Europe to have done worse than Treviso having lost all 19 Top 14 matches (the last 0-59 at home with Stade Toulousain ). Therefore, one of the two will “have to” win. If ours, as everyone hopes, will make it, in the quarters it will be Montpellier or, for a change, the Glasgow Warriors. –