Ex-Wales international Rhys Patchell reunited with former boss

Benetton Rugby have announced two more coaching appointments, with former Wales international Rhys Patchell coming on board as the Italian outfit’s attack coach and Pete Wilkins confirmed as defence coach.

Welshman Patchell has signed a two-year deal, with the option to extend by a couple more years, and will join the Lions’ coaching staff on July 1, 2026, once he’s finished at the Dragons.

Patchell will work under incoming head coach, Wayne Pivac, who coached him at Scarlets, Wales and in Japan, and specifically requested for the 32-year-old from Penarth to be a part of his backroom team.

A fly-half/full-back in his playing days, Patchell won 22 caps for Wales over an injury-plagued 10-year period, as well as being a prolific points scorer for both Cardiff and Scarlets, where he won the Pro12 in 2017.

After leaving the club in 2023, he played for the Highlanders in New Zealand and the NEC Green Rockets in Japan, before embarking on a career in coaching.

Hired by the Dragons as a kicking consultant for this season, Patchell was also part of the Welsh national team coaching staff during the recent Six Nations.

“I am delighted to join Benetton Rugby for the coming seasons. It is an exciting opportunity to join a team with a roster full of high-calibre players. I would like to thank President Antonio Pavanello and Coach Wayne Pivac for the opportunity to contribute to the glorious history of this great club,” Patchell said.

“I can’t wait to arrive in Treviso and start building relationships with the staff and players, to develop a game that excites our players, our fans and the entire city. For now, my focus is on finishing the season on a high with Dragons RFC.”

At the same time, Benetton have announced that Pete Wilkins, already part of the Green and Whites coaching staff, will take on the role of defence coach ahead of the start of next season .

The roles of Salvatore Costanzo (scrum coach) and Dewald Senekal (lineout coach) will remain unchanged.

Commenting on Patchell’s appointment, Pivac said: “I’m really happy to be reunited with Rhys after coaching him at Scarlets and the Welsh national team. The last time we worked together was in Japan, where Rhys was a player-coach, taking charge of the attack and mentoring the young players.

“He had an extraordinary playing career, leading the attack in the number 10 shirt. We have the same vision of the game. We want to play a style that excites both the players and the fans.”

Benetton president Antonio Pavanello added: “Wayne has made us some very specific requests, few but very specific. Among these is the choice of Patchell, which we have carefully evaluated and deemed appropriate, convinced that he is the best fit for our path. We are certain that he will be able to make a significant contribution to the team’s growth and that his work will translate into concrete results on the field.”