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Six Nations star Tommaso Menoncello enters the European history books
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Italian superstar Tommaso Menoncello has entered the EPCR record books after scoring the first sub-10 second try in Challenge Cup/Champions Cup history.
Benetton’s Menoncello, who was voted Player of the Six Nations in 2025 and was also on this year’s shortlist, dotted down for the first of his two tries against Cardiff with just 9.34 seconds on the clock.
The imperious centre caught the bouncing ball straight from the kick-off and would have troubled the record for the fastest-ever try in a leading pro club competition if he’d have grounded the ball as soon as he’d crossed the line.
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Instead, an overjoyed Menoncello raised his arm in an understandable act of showboating and ran it under the posts before diving to the ground in celebration.
Menoncello strikes in 20 seconds! 🔥 Sensational start!#Rugby #ChallengeCupRugby pic.twitter.com/n9L7tGa73u
— EPCR Challenge Cup (@ChallengeCup_) April 4, 2026
Menoncello’s score shaved a couple of seconds off the previous quickest time, set by fellow centre Max Wright, then of Newcastle, against Worcester in December 2021.
The fastest recorded try in club rugby union is generally credited to Tyson Lewis, who scored in just 7.24 seconds for Doncaster Knights against Old Albanians in National League One in 2013.
In top-tier professional leagues, current England attack coach Lee Blackett scored in a PREM record time of 8.28 seconds for Leeds Carnegie against Newcastle at Headingley in 2008.
Menoncello went on to score a second try in the tense 38-35 win over Cardiff, which has put the Italian outfit through to the Challenge Cup quarter-finals.
The competition’s second seeds will now host Exeter, the conquerors of Munster, at Stadio Monigo this Sunday.
Challenge Cup quarter-final schedule in full:
Ulster Rugby vs Stade Rochelais, Friday 10 April 20:00 BST
Montpellier Hérault Rugby vs Connacht Rugby, Saturday 11 April 12:30 BST
Zebre Parma vs Dragons RFC, Saturday 11 April 20:00 BST
Benetton Rugby vs Exeter Chiefs, Sunday 12 April 12:30 BST
