Benetton, sweet cup memories but no nightmares in Gloucester

Debut in the second continental event at the home of the English Bortolami changes 10: in addition to Pani (debut) chance for Braley in the median

/ TREVISO

And here is the Cup. Not the beloved Rainbow, which makes a fine show of itself on the showcase at the Ghirada, but the Challenge, the second most important after the Heikenen. Benetton therefore begins to dive back into areas outside the URC, therefore also English and French. It is always interesting, but also useful and instructive, to discuss from time to time with the representatives of the best European championships. Tonight it’s Gloucester’s turn, sixth in the Premiership, a club dear to coach Marco Bortolami, who honorably played with White and Cherry from 2006 to 2010. And there, before coming to us, scrum-half Callum Braley (2014) also played -2020). The group also sees the presence of the two Frenchmen Lyon and Perpignan and, in this case, on the other hand, we know each other well, the Welsh Dragons. We are already talking about the second day, in the first (Benetton rested) Lyon-Gloucester 19-13 and Perpignan-Dragons 22-16 were played. Dragons-Lyon is there tonight.

Debut full of difficulties for Treviso but stimulating, on the occasion of which Bortolami changed 10 compared to the last match, that of Edinburgh. There is the great news (anticipated) of an absolute debut: the first time in the Lions jersey is the turn of the Florentine Lorenzo Pani, born in 2002, 4 caps in the U20 Six Nations, to whom the coach gave the extreme jersey instead of Rhyno Smith, who in turn moves to the opening for Leo Marin. Then we find Padovani on the wing for the injured Tavuyara, in the center the only confirmed is Menoncello while there is Riera for the compatriot Brex. In the middle we have Braley for Duvenage; in third remains captain Michele Lamaro, freshly renewed until 2024, new are Zuliani who replaces Halafihi and Seb Negri does the same with Pettinelli. In the second confirmed Ruzza but not Herbst, who gives way to Niccolò Canone; at first Pasquali survives, with Lucchesi trailing behind for Faiva and Gallo returning from the pylon taking over Zani.

So Nacho Brex, ready to take over in the second half: «A new competition is starting, our goal is to face match after match to the fullest of our potential. We want to raise our level as high as possible and show the fruit of our work across Europe. The first week after Edinburgh we focused more on the mistakes made against the Scots and the things to improve, then the focus shifted to Gloucester. I expect a quick match, also because the pitch is synthetic. Gloucester is a strong team in the scrum and they like to play a lot, above all they try from the early stages to attack their opponents, so it’s a physical team that will try to play and give rhythm ».

George Skivington, coach of the English team who has changed even 14 compared to the defeat in France (the only surviving Twelvetrees), sees it this way: “It’s a game of great importance because in the end we still have only one point in the standings, and we are prepared . We love going back to Kingsholm: being a European event it’s really fantastic ». Watch out for the English pack which, despite being defeated in Lyon, has won all of its nine scrums, more than any other team in the first round. For their part, Benetton in England has never had too much luck, on the contrary they have lost in all 20 away games against Premiership teams, including four games in the Challenge.

For the Lions this time no more round trips on match day: the start was made yesterday and the return will be tomorrow. The game will be visible at the Cantera restaurant in Ghirada, for the occasion with the presence of some green-and-white players. –