Sep, 27 2025
The 2025-26 United Rugby Championship (URC) kicks off in September, and Benetton Rugby is set to roll out a refreshed roster that blends seasoned veterans with promising newcomers. After a mixed 2024-25 campaign that saw the side finish ninth, the club’s management has been busy tightening the squad, tweaking the game plan and securing new broadcast deals to make sure fans never miss a moment.
Roster overhaul: arrivals, departures and the core lineup
Benetton’s transfer window was anything but quiet. The most talked‑about signing is former South African flank Jaco van der Merwe, who joins from the Sharks on a three‑year contract. Van der Merwe brings a ten‑try record from last season and is expected to add heft to the back‑row. Complementing him is Italian fly‑half Luca Marchetti, a product of the club’s academy who earned a spot on the Italy U20 team. Marchetti’s accurate boot and play‑making instincts aim to give the side a steadier attacking platform.
On the exit side, veteran lock Marco Rossi retired after a decade with the club, while centre Tomás García moved to the French Top 14 seeking a new challenge. Their departures open up slots for younger talent: 22‑year‑old lock Andrea Bianchi and emerging centre Romain Legrand will gain more minutes under head coach Neil Jenkins, who has promised a more dynamic defensive structure.
The core of the team remains largely unchanged. Captain Samuel O'Neill continues to lead from the front, while scrum‑half Mattia Conti retains his spot as the primary distributor. The back three—wingers Filippo Rossi and David Patel, plus fullback Simon Varga—have all logged over 80% of minutes last season, providing continuity on the flanks.
Statistical snapshot and what to expect on the field
Looking at the numbers from 2024-25, Benetton posted a 55% tackle success rate, ranking fourth in the league for defensive efficiency. However, the team struggled in the set‑piece, winning only 62% of lineouts and a 67% scrum success rate. The new acquisitions aim to address those gaps: Van der Merwe’s experience in tight exchanges should bolster scrummaging, while Bianchi’s lineout acumen is expected to lift the club into the top‑three bracket.
Offensively, the side averaged 1.8 tries per game, with O'Neill and Marchetti combining for a combined 23 try assists. The coaching staff hopes the added creativity from the new fly‑half will push that average closer to two tries per match, a target that aligns with the club’s ambition to finish in the top six and clinch a playoff berth.
Key fixtures include the opening derby against Zebre at Stadio Monigo, a mid‑season showdown with powerhouse Leinster, and a crucial away game versus Cardiff Rugby in March that could decide the final playoff spot. Benetton’s schedule also features a double‑header week in November, offering fans a chance to see the team adapt quickly between matches.
For supporters wanting to tune in, the URC has secured a pan‑European broadcast agreement. In Italy, live matches will be streamed on Benetton Rugby’s official website and aired on Sky Sport Italia. Audiences in the UK and Ireland can catch the action via Premier Sports, while viewers in the United States will find the games on NBC Sports Network. Highlights and on‑demand replays will be uploaded to the club’s YouTube channel within 24 hours of each match.
Ticket sales for the home games opened last week, with early‑bird packages offering discounted rates for the first five fixtures. Season ticket holders will also receive a behind‑the‑scenes documentary series that follows the squad’s preparation for the URC run‑in.
Overall, Benetton Rugby enters the 2025-26 season with a clear plan: plug the set‑piece weaknesses, add scoring punch, and keep the defensive solidity that kept them competitive last year. Fans have a lot to look forward to, whether they’re watching from the stands in Treviso or streaming the match from a café abroad.
Gauri Sheth
September 27, 2025 AT 08:18Honestly I feel like the whole Benetton operation is a wounded animal flickering with false hope.
Every time they announce a new signing I get that gut‑wrenching feeling that they've just patched a hole with a bandage.
Jaco van der Merwe might be a powerhouse, but a single flanker won't fix a culture that has been sipping defeat for years.
The fans have been left in a cold shower of disappointment, and the club seems to think throwing money at a few players will magically cure it.
Sure, Luca Marchetti is a product of the academy and his boot is accurate, but accuracy without vision is just a fancy pointer.
We need a genuine overhaul of the mindset, not just a shuffle of jerseys.
Half the squad looks like they’re just counting days until they can retire, and the other half are still learning the difference between a scrum and a lineout.
It's heartbreaking to watch a team that once symbolised Italian pride now try to hide behind statistics.
The 55% tackle success is a decent number, but the 62% lineout win rate screams inefficiency.
Do we really expect a couple of newcomers to lift those numbers to the top‑three bracket?
I remember the days when Benetton could dominate the midfield, and now we’re stuck replaying the same old script.
The fans deserve better than a token documentary series that pretends to be exclusive content.
Honestly, if the management doesn't address the deeper issues, all the broadcast deals and streaming platforms will be pointless.
We need a leader who will demand accountability, not just smile for the cameras.
Every time I see the schedule, I cringe at the double‑header weeks because it shows the club's desperation to squeeze revenue.
In short, stop treating this like a reality TV drama and start building a team that respects the sport and its supporters.
om biswas
September 29, 2025 AT 15:46This squad is an embarrassment for Italian rugby.
sumi vinay
October 1, 2025 AT 23:03Hey everyone, super excited to see how the new faces will blend with the veterans!
The addition of Jaco gives the back‑row a real physical presence, which is great for those hard‑run games.
And Luca coming up from the academy shows that the club still trusts its homegrown talent.
I'm hoping the tweaks in defensive structure will turn those close matches into solid wins.
Can't wait for the opening derby against Zebre – a perfect chance to set the tone for the season.
Anjali Das
October 4, 2025 AT 06:20Honestly, these so‑called “new signings” are just a marketing ploy.
The core hasn't changed and that core is stale.
If they wanted real progress they'd overhaul the whole system, not just add a few names.
Everyone’s already selling tickets based on hype, not substance.
Dipti Namjoshi
October 6, 2025 AT 13:36I can understand the excitement surrounding the new roster, but let's also remember the dedication of the players who've been there for years.
The blend of experience and youth could foster a strong mentorship environment.
It's essential for fans to support both the newcomers and the veterans as they adapt together.
Watching the team grow can be a beautiful cultural exchange for the community.
Looking forward to seeing the synergy on the field and hoping for a successful season.
Prince Raj
October 8, 2025 AT 20:53From a strategic standpoint, the integration of a high‑impact flanker like van der der Merwe will augment the ruck‑phase efficiency metrics.
Coupled with improved lineout tactics via Bianchi, we can anticipate a higher set‑piece conversion rate.
This should positively affect the expected points per possession (EPPP) framework.
Moreover, Marchetti's play‑making capability aligns with the offensive KPIs targeting a 2‑try average per game.
Overall, the squad’s depth enhancement appears to address prior performance gaps.
Gopal Jaat
October 11, 2025 AT 04:10Indeed, the season promises several crucial matchups.
The opening derby will test the team's cohesion.
Mid‑season clashes against powerhouse clubs will reveal true progress.
Fans should brace for an intense, dramatic ride.
UJJAl GORAI
October 13, 2025 AT 11:26Ah, another season, another stream of statistics to drown us in – how original.
One might conjecture that the club's efforts are merely a charade to distract from systemic flaws, yet the data pretends otherwise.
The purported "55% tackle success" may sound impressive, but without context it’s just a number tossed into a press release.
Moreover, the anticipation of a "behind‑the‑scenes" docu‑series seems less about transparency and more about monetisation.
We shall observe whether the on‑field execution aligns with these lofty metrics, or if it remains a mere marketing veneer.
In any case, the fans will be watching, perhaps with a raised eyebrow.