WATCH: Italian international’s acrobatic finish powers Benetton to vital win over Glasgow
Benetton players in a huddle after a URC game in the 2024.25 season
Benetton secured a vital 33-7 win over reigning United Rugby Championship (URC) champions Glasgow Warriors to boost their hopes of making the top eight.
The Italians now move up to sixth in the table following their mammoth win, and head into their final game of the season against Munster in a strong position to make the play-offs.
Click here for the scorers
Italian international Paolo Odogwu got Benetton off to a flying start, quite literally, with an acrobatic finish in the corner after just five minutes.
Looping pass. Dive into the corner. Backwards roll 👏
Paolo Odogwu’s try has it all! 🥵#BKTURC #URC | #BENvGLA pic.twitter.com/K35ocl5MOl
— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) May 10, 2025
7-0 quickly turned to 14-0 as well, as hooker Siua Maile dotted down just two minutes later.
Glasgow did create a couple of half-chances in the next few minutes, but yet again it was Benetton who crossed the whitewash next as full-back Rhyno Smith added his name to the scoresheet, which gave the hosts a 19-0 lead heading into the sheds.
The one-way traffic continued at the start of the second-half, too. Star centre Tommaso Menoncello – who has been linked with a move to the Top 14, causing Benetton to issue a statement earlier this week – was on hand to reap the rewards of a piece of brilliance from fellow centre Nacho Brex.
His effort was swiftly followed Jacob Umaga, who added to his already hefty haul with a try. A classy break from full-back Smith opened the Warriors’ defence, and he connected with the on-chasing fly-half to send him home. The former England international has been tipped for a potential switch of allegiance to Italy, and his Player of the Match performance has done his chances of making Gonzalo Quesada’s side this summer no harm at all.
Glasgow finally hit back with a try of their own, as British and Irish Lions tourist Huw Jones crossed out wide after a clever tap play from George Horne.
The visitors didn’t relent in their late efforts either, and still looked to play even with the clock in the red, but a misplaced pass from Jones to fellow Lions’ tourist Scott Cummings brought the game to a close.