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.