Benetton Dominates Dragons in United Rugby Championship Match
Benetton Rugby secured a convincing victory over Dragons in the United Rugby Championship (URC) clash at Stadio Monigo on 19 April 2024. The Italian side dominated the match, scoring six tries to secure a bonus-point win and consolidate their hopes of a playoff spot.
Rhyno Smith, Gianmarco Lucchesi, Andy Uren, Onisi Ratave, Edoardo Iachizzi, and Michele Lamaro all crossed the try line for Benetton, with Tomas Albornoz and Jacob Umaga adding the extras. Dragons responded with tries from Jared Rosser, Dane Blacker, and Che Hope, but it was not enough to overcome the dominant Benetton side.
The win sees Benetton rise to fifth in the URC standings, while Dragons remain in 15th place with only Zebre below them. Dragons have struggled on the road, with their last URC away win dating back to April 2022.
Benetton captain Michele Lamaro praised his team’s performance, highlighting their ability to create scoring opportunities. Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan, on the other hand, expressed disappointment with his team’s high error rate and lack of competitiveness in the first half.
The match showcased Benetton’s attacking prowess and defensive resilience, setting them up for a strong finish to the URC season. Dragons will need to regroup and address their shortcomings as they look to climb up the standings in the remaining fixtures.
The next URC fixtures will be crucial for both teams as they aim to secure their positions in the playoff race. Benetton will be looking to build on their recent success, while Dragons will be seeking a turnaround in form to salvage their season.