Benetton head coach Calum MacRae announces exit

Benetton head coach Calum MacRae will leave the club at the end of the season and will return to Scotland to be close to his family.

The former Scotland Sevens international, who RugbyPass revealed has been linked with a move to Newcastle Red Bulls, arrived in Italy in 2022 initially as Benetton’s defence coach, but was promoted to head coach in March 2025 following Marco Bortolami’s departure, guiding the side to a 10th-place finish in the United Rugby Championship.

The club currently sit in 10th this season following their defeat to Cardiff at the weekend, who they will host in the Challenge Cup round of 16 after finishing top of their pool.

With his family already relocated back in Scotland, MacRae said he is “missing out on important moments in my family life” as the reason for his decision.

Benetton are just two points off the play-off places in the URC with a visit from Scarlets this weekend.

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Calum MacRae explains: “My family and I have come to Treviso, and to Benetton Rugby, for a new adventure, and I am very grateful to Antonio Pavanello, Amerino Zatta, and the club for giving me the opportunity to coach the team, both as an assistant and as head coach, over the past four years.

“During this time, I feel I have grown and learned a lot while experiencing a new culture. I believe we have made significant progress as a team, qualifying for the play-offs, both in the URC and European Cups, and I hope we have given our passionate fans moments they will remember fondly.

“Last year, my family relocated to Scotland for school reasons, related to my children’s education. I had hoped the agreement with Benetton Rugby could be extended long-term, but as a husband and father, I am missing out on important moments in my family life and feel the need to return to Scotland to be close to my family. For this reason, I will be leaving the club at the end of the season.

“I thank Antonio and the club for their understanding and support in this decision. I remain fully focused on Benetton Rugby between now and the end of the season, as we aim for the URC play-offs and to reach the Challenge Cup. Finally, I would like to thank the fantastic group of players, my fellow coaches, and the Ghirada staff for making my time at Benetton Rugby so special. With the birth of my son Rían here, Treviso will always be a very special place for our family to return to in the future.”

Chairman Antonio Pavanello added: “We fully understand Calum’s family situation and respect a decision that stems from profound and understandable motivations. Over the years, MacRae has demonstrated great professionalism, competence, and a sense of responsibility, qualities he will continue to put at the service of Benetton Rugby until the end of the season.

“We deeply appreciate the commitment and dedication with which he will approach this final stretch of his journey. We look forward to the coming months with confidence, aiming for an ambitious and positive end to the season, maintaining a calm, united atmosphere, and fully focused on our sporting goals. Our sincere thanks go to Calum for all he has given to the club and our best wishes for his future, both personally and professionally.”