The Challenge Cup quarter-final will pit Connacht against familiar URC rivals Benetton, to be held at Stadio Comunale di Monigo. The game is set to kick off at half-past twelve in the afternoon this Sunday, with live coverage provided by Premier Sports 2. The home side, Benetton, enter the game as favourites, backed by a formidable track record in the competition and enjoying an advantage of playing on their home ground.
Benetton has proven its strength by remaining undefeated in European knock-out matches at home. The Italian team looks forward to recreating its outstanding 35-8 victory against the Bulls in the Rainbow Cup of 2021. The side also outperformed Connacht in the fourth round, with a 20-12 success; they sealed a 41-19 victory over Connacht in the previous URC season on their home pitch.
Statistics affirm the prowess of Benetton, with the team currently holding a 27-17 victory over the Emirates Rugby. The side maintains runner-up standings in terms of clean breaks, turnovers attained, tries and points scored within the European challenge.
Connacht, under Pete Wilkins, will not find this game an easy conquest. Their season has been unstable, yet hope shines through. They displayed an exceptional performance in their recent victory over Pau in France. However, they will miss key players like Shayne Bolton, Jack Carty, and Jarrad Butler due to injuries. Connacht is set to introduce replacements including Andrew Smith, JJ Hanrahan, and Paul Boyle. Darragh Murray will step in for his brother Niall, and the bench will feature Peter Dooley, Cathal Forde, and the promising 22-year-old scrum-half Matthew Devine, son of ex-Connacht winger Michael.
Benetton has made six individual changes as well as tactical alterations to its positioning. The side will see the return of the Italian captain Michele Lamaro alongside Argentinian players Ignacio Mendy and Tomas Alboroz in the backline.
Wilkins finds encouragement in Connacht’s recent, closely contested, 18-14 defeat against the Italians in the last round of the URC. Connacht are also backed by their loyal fans, who are expected to descend upon Italy in large numbers as they did the past weekend.
Aware of the weight of the forthcoming game, the team recognises the potential of a winning result for the province, as well as for dedicated fans who have consistently travelled to Italy and France to support Connacht throughout recent games.
This weekend presents yet another formidable challenge and the significant role that their encouragement will play as we endeavour to progress to the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup cannot be underestimated. For Connacht to be successful, they must maintain or even intensify the level of determination they displayed against Pau.
The Benetton line-up includes R Smith, I Mendy, T Menoncello, N Brex, O Ratave, T Albornoz, A Garbisi, T Gallo, G Lucchesi, S Ferrari, N Cannone, F Ruzza, S Negri da Ollegio, M Lamaro captaining, with T Halafihi as a substitute. Supporting players are B Bernasconi, M Spagnolo, G Zilocchi, E Snyman, A Izekor, L Cannone, A Uren, and J Umaga.
Connacht’s team includes T O’Halloran, A Smith, D Hawkshaw, B Aki, S Jennings, JJ Hanrahan, as well as C Blade leading the way, accompanied by D Buckley, D Heffernan, F Bealham, J Joyce, D Murray, C Prendergast, S Hurley-Langton, and P Boyle in the starting line-up. The replacement squad includes E de Buitlear, P Dooley, S Illo, N Murray, C Oliver, M Devine, C Forde, and T Farrell. The match will be officiated by Mike Adamson from Scotland.