AT the last count, Benetton Treviso had won 15 Italian Championships and, lest we forget, walked away with the hurriedly organised Rainbow Cup in the teeth of Covid disruption in 2021 but I would nonetheless suggest their European Challenge Cup semi-final at Toulon this afternoon represents the highwater mark in their history. Their game at Stade Felix Mayol – and whatever happened to neutral semi-final venues by the way? – is proper big boys big pants rugby, a showpiece occasion against one of the giants of the French game who have targeted the competition this year to kick start their regeneration after a few spluttering seasons.
Benetton Treviso – the Italian leisure wear giants have been uber loyal sponsors so we should not really cavil at mentioning their name – have fought like dogs to reach this stage, it hasn’t come easy. A double header with Stade Francais which resulted in a win apiece, an away win in Bayonne and home victories over Connacht and Cardiff. Their arrival in Toulon is no fluke.
Mind you, Treviso have always fought like dogs, against the odds and prejudice. A small passionate rugby community yes, but with precious little natural advantages other than that association with Benetton, by far the biggest employers in the small Veneto town, loosening their purse strings for over two decades now.
It’s been quite a journey and although the pre-eminent team in Italy for two decades now, that was not always the case. Far from it. For many years they lagged a long way behind Milan, Rovigo, Roma, Patrace from Palma and L’Aquila in the rugged Abuzo. There was a solitary Italian title in 1956 an another in 1978, a few big-name signings with Michael Lynagh and John Kirwan in the late 80 and 90s but they only really became the power in the land towards the end of the 1990s, when Benetton came fully on board after supporting the club informally in the past.
They have suffered any number of bloody noses and insults over the years but keep coming back for more and although they fell off a little towards the end of the current URC season – their large Italy contingent were knackered to use the technical term – they are worthy citizens of that League which to these eyes looks significantly stronger than the Premiership right now.
Ridiculously the eighth Premiership team – and there were only 11 this season – qualifies for the European Champions Cup but there is no place for Benetton Treviso, who are clearly the champion team of Italy. The Heineken Cup has alas become a politically driven micro managed mish mash between the cosy club again. Rugby, and the way it is mismanaged, can be plain embarrassing on occasions.
They have had to take the prejudice on the chin and now they have earned the chance to take a big step forward in Toulon because, make no mistake, a first-ever Italian team in a European final would be a huge moment and yet another pointer to the good things happening in Italian rugby. As Argentina found when their Super Rugby franchise, the Jaguares, contrib-
uted the rump of the national team it’s a challenge to manage playing time for the key players but Benetton are making a pretty decent job of that. Although not chock full of superstar overseas players they have a good contingent of rock solid pros who keep the homefires burning when others are away.
It will be bloody difficult in Toulon, they have the gander up for this competition again. Back in the day, when Jonny Wilkinson first arrived, they used it as a launching pad for greater things and in recent years they have repeated that process. On four occasions, no less, Toulon have finished runners-up in the Challenge Cup and unquestionably start as favourites this lunch time. But there is jeopardy in this contest. It’s not a foregone conclusion.
It is also a huge day for Sergio Parisse, left, playing against his old club, having made his senior debut for Treviso 21 years ago.
Parisse’s career is finally, definitively coming to an end, and this represents his best chance of lifting silverware again. It is also the emotional showpiece occasion that might convince Italy coach Kieran Crowley that it would not be a retrograde step to reintroduce the great man to the national squad for the World Cup. If he did that and Parisse was given game time he would become the first player in history to appear in six World Cups.
As mooted many times in this column should he return, Parisse’s role might be as a lock rather than break up the now established Italy back row of Michele Lamaro, Seb Negri and Lorenzo Cannone although of course he could easily slot in at No.8 or blindside flanker if either of those concerned picked up injuries. We will see. There have been many fairytales around rugby union recently but this has the potential.
What could also be memorable – poignant – today is Parisse’s interaction with Lamaro, his successor as national captain and inspirational leader. It feels like an on-field passing of the baton between two totem pole players.
There will be no quarter asked or given in the Felix Mayol bearpit but afterwards there will be much to talk about over a beer.
A penny for their thoughts at the end.
