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Federico Ruzza hat-trick helps Benetton to comfortable victory
By PA
Benetton completed a quickfire United Rugby Championship double against their Italian rivals Zebre Parma by winning 40-17 at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.
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But Zebre, beaten 38-5 by Benetton on Christmas Eve, gave their opponents a fright before slipping to an 11th successive league defeat of the season.
Zebre had full-back Lorenzo Pani sent off seven minutes before half-time for a dangerous tackle on his opposite number Matteo Minozzi.
And although Benetton ultimately wiped out a 10-point interval advantage, they were made to work hard for a victory that took them into the URC’s top-eight.
Captain Federico Ruzza led the way by scoring a hat-trick of tries, while there were also touchdowns for flanker Manuel Zuliani, centre Tommaso Menoncello and replacement prop Federico Zani, with Benetton’s former Wasps fly-half Jacob Umaga adding three conversions and Tomas Albornoz two.
Zebre led through early scores by centre Erich Cronje and wing Jacopo Trulla, while fly-half Tiff Eden kicked two conversions and a penalty, but Benetton had enough firepower to claim a sixth successive win in the fixture after scoring 33 unanswered second-half points.
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You made the point about army and school rugby. A possible pathway could be through the university system, a team in their pro league and a services team, but that probably would need political backing. An Olympic sevens program and entering a team in the World u20 trophy, could be a way to develop talent. That's something World Rugby could pursue. As for the A team idea, that's the way to increase top level exposure, plus closer links with Scotland a tier 1 nation. Players playing for Glasgow or Edinburgh. The Super rugby Europe league has potential.
Go to commentsTheir rise up to potential prem was interesting to follow, sad news. RFU needs a complete overhaul of operations. Maybe getting involved with part ownerships. An anglo-welsh league could generate more interest and revenue. But the financial climate right now is challenging for rugby.
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