Menoncello's Record-Breaking Try Highlights Benetton Victory
Tommaso Menoncello, named player of the Six Nations in 2024, made history by scoring the fastest try in European competition as Benetton secured a victory over an injury-hit Cardiff in an 11-try encounter to advance to the Challenge Cup quarter-finals.
The Italy centre crossed the line after just nine seconds, surpassing the previous record of 11 seconds set by Newcastle's Max Wright against Worcester in December 2021. Menoncello added a second try during the match, while Benetton fly-half Jacob Umaga contributed 18 points, including two tries.
Additional tries for Benetton came from prop Thomas Gallo and wing Onisi Ratave, setting up a home quarter-final against Exeter next weekend.
Cardiff's Jacob Beetham scored twice, with further tries from captain Liam Belcher, number eight Alun Lawrence, and scrum-half Ellis Bevan. Callum Sheedy successfully kicked five conversions, totaling 10 points.
Despite missing several key Wales internationals due to injury, including wing Josh Adams, Cardiff demonstrated resilience by recovering from multiple deficits of 14-0, 28-7, 33-14, and 38-21.
The match concluded controversially as Cardiff believed they had scored a try, but the French officials disallowed it.
Benetton Make Fast Start to Stun Cardiff
Cardiff entered the match severely impacted by injuries following two fixtures in South Africa. The team was without five injured locks, including Josh McNally, George Nott, and Teddy Williams, leaving Rory Thornton as the sole specialist second row available. Thornton partnered with back row academy prospect Evan Rees, who made his first start alongside centre Elijah Evans.
Wales back-row players Taulupe Faletau, James Botham, and Taine Basham were also absent, although Wales flanker Alex Mann returned to the squad.
In contrast, Benetton fielded ten players from Italy's Six Nations squad, including influential captain Michele Lamaro and Menoncello, who made an immediate impact by capitalizing on a mistake from Lawrence right from the kick-off.
Umaga converted the opening try and extended Benetton's early advantage by breaking through Cardiff's defense for a second try.
Cardiff responded with an interception by wing Mason Grady that shifted momentum, culminating in hooker Belcher scoring a try.
Benetton then scored two quick tries through Gallo and Umaga before Cardiff's Beetham crossed for a try.
Menoncello produced a brilliant break and executed an exceptional pass between his legs to fellow centre Leonardo Marin, enabling Ratave to score.
Cardiff squandered a scoring opportunity when centre Evans lost possession following breaks from Grady and Bevan. However, Lawrence scored just before halftime, reducing the deficit to 12 points.
Cardiff Bounce Back but Are Cruelly Denied
Menoncello, who is set to join Toulouse next season, replicated his try-scoring prowess by powering through attempted tackles from Callum Sheedy and Beetham.
Sheedy redeemed himself with a well-timed pass leading to a try by half-back partner Bevan. Benetton was penalized when Umaga received a yellow card for a late, no-arms tackle on Lawrence.
Cardiff capitalized on the extra player, with Beetham scoring his second try following an interception.
Due to injuries, Cardiff had no specialist lock on the bench; Wales hooker Evan Lloyd came on at number eight, and Lawrence moved up to lock.
Despite this, Cardiff applied pressure on Benetton's line, with replacement prop Rhys Barrett held up by Benetton captain Lamaro.
Cardiff, opting against a shot at goal that would have leveled the scores, pursued a winning try and believed replacement Lucas De la Rua had scored. However, Mann knocked on at the Benetton line, nullifying the effort.
Benetton launched a counter-attack spanning the length of the field but were denied a try themselves. Cardiff's protests continued as Ben Thomas, who had taken over the captaincy, urged French referee Kevin Bralley to consult the television match official (TMO).
"His protests were to no avail and Bralley eventually penalised Thomas and Benetton kicked the ball out and celebrated victory."
Benetton's starting lineup was: Smith; Ratave, Menoncello, Marin, Mendy; Umaga, Uren; Gallo, Bernasconi, Zilocchi, N Cannone, Ruzza, Zuliani, Lamaro (capt), L Cannone.
Replacements: Maile, Aminu, Pasquali Favretto, Fa'aso'o, Izekor, Garbisi, Odogwu.
Cardiff's starting lineup was: I Lloyd; Grady, E Evans, B Thomas, Beetham; Sheedy, Bevan; Byrne, Belcher (capt), Assiratti, E Rees, Thornton, Mann, D Thomas, Lawrence.
Replacements: D Hughes, Barratt, Wainwright, de la Rua, E Lloyd, I Davies, Jennings, Winnett.
Match Officials
Referee: Kevin Bralley (France)
Assistant referees: Pierre Bru & Flavien Hourquet (France)
TMO: Julien Castaignede (France)
