Lions, reinforcements arrive: here are Bell and Fantini

The two English players have been added to the roster, one opening and the other third line. Tomorrow in Lyon Negri and Ioane return, only two positives

TREVISO

Benetton, as expected, runs for cover and begins to flesh out a squad that, from the original 52 and after the 23 Lions called in blue by Crowley, has become dangerously thinned (and risks running out of the best for a long time, especially if the blue “bubble” for the Six Nations will be created, with the releases also becoming chimera). So here are the first reinforcements, which are two Englishmen, Tommy Bell and Yaree Osron Fantini, the second already anticipated.

Bell is a utility back (even if he prefers openness) of experience and talent. 185 cm for 86 kg, born in 1992, English from Plymouth. Debut with Sale Skarks in 2010, then Leicester, with whom he also faced Benetton, London Irish until 2019, Ealing Trailfinders and Bedford Blues in the Championship. He also had a French experience with Mont de Marsan and, in the national team, with the English under 20. It excels in the game at the foot to which it combines an excellent vision of the game. «When I learned of Benetton’s interest, I immediately recalled the memories of when I played in Monigo and of the brilliant atmosphere created by the fans present. The possibility of moving to Italy and representing Benetton is very exciting ». Fantini is English of clear Italian origins (mother from Rimini). Third line – the Lions department most devastated by the blue summons – born in 1997, 1.83 for 106 kg, athleticism and technique in constant growth. He cut his teeth in Super Rugby, Scottish Super Six and English Seven, then Newcastle Falcons. In reality Fantini already knows the Treviso area well enough, since he has been training in Ghirada since November, now apparently his time has also come. «These months have gone very well – he reveals – the guys have been fantastic and helped me to settle in quickly. Over the next few months, with a big chunk of the squad going away for the Six Nations, I will try to seize the opportunity by making me and the club happy ».

Director Antonio Pavanello promises other arrivals: «Yes, in the coming weeks we will try to conclude some agreements with Top 10 clubs, knowing that it will not be easy given their commitments. On the singles I would like to say that Tommy is a utility well known by Gustard and Masi, who facilitated his arrival in Treviso while Yaree we have seen him training with us in recent months and has certainly shown the potential to give us a hand during the Six Nations ». Naturally, their inclusion will take place gradually, now their minds and hearts are turned to the trip to Lyon where on Friday Benetton will play several chances to go forward in the Challenge (but there would also be the internal match with Perpignan, the first 3 of each group pass more the two best fourths). Bortolami today will announce the XV which could count on the return of Negri, Ioane and Braley. As for the Covid situation for the negativization of the last two positive players, it is a matter of hours. –