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Benetton will also play Champions Cup rugby next season. Giuseppe Fama/INPHO

Brilliant Benetton make history as first Italian team to qualify for Pro14 play-offs

A bonus-point victory over Zebre secures a top-three finish for Kieran Crowley’s men.

BENETTON’S BRILLIANT SEASON will extend into next week at the very least after Kieran Crowley’s side made history by becoming the first Italian team to qualify for the Guinness Pro14 play-offs.

A bonus-point victory over Zebre in Parma this afternoon moved Benetton to 56 points in Conference B, enough to ensure them of a third-place finish and a passage through to the quarter-finals.

It also means Benetton will be back in the Heineken Champions Cup next season after a superb campaign under Kiwi Crowley, with the Treviso-based side winning 10 league matches this term. 

First-half tries from Luca Morisi and Toa Halafihi set Benetton on their way before further scores through Sebastian Negri Monty Ioane sealed the deal for the visitors, who will now face the side that finishes second in Conference A — either Glasgow Warriors or Munster — in the quarter-finals next weekend. 

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    Mute Joe Vlogs
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    Apr 27th 2019, 7:11 PM

    Delighted. They have been playing excellent rugby all season, and fully deserve to be in the champions cup, not to mention in the playoffs!

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    Mute Ricky Spanish
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    Apr 27th 2019, 7:17 PM

    @Joe Vlogs: Agree great for Italian rugby and the league overall.

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    Mute Kingshu
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    Apr 27th 2019, 7:44 PM

    No one calling to have the Italians removed form the league anymore. Hopefully this works out well and Italian rugby gets more exposure and Benetton can build a larger fanbase.

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    Mute mrbryanrussell
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    Apr 27th 2019, 8:20 PM

    @Kingshu: agreed but in the same breath everyone will be hoping for them in their group in the champions cup. Delighted for them and they have earned it.

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    Mute Mick Dougan
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    Apr 27th 2019, 7:37 PM

    Great news for Conor O’Shea too. Fair play to all of them, refusing to give up on themselves.

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    Mute Olive Barnes
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    Apr 27th 2019, 7:58 PM

    Well done, Benetton. Delighted for them.

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    Mute Fred McHugh
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    Apr 27th 2019, 7:36 PM

    Conor O Shea’s handy work

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    Mute Pete McEvoy
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    Apr 27th 2019, 11:18 PM

    @Fred McHugh: Does he actually have any input as how Benetton are coached though? He’s not listed on their coaching ticket. I’ve seen a few plaudits thrown his way this year when they’ve done well and tbh they read a little like the ‘Lancaster’s Leinster’ headlines you see in the English papers.

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    Mute Martin Quinn
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    Apr 27th 2019, 11:59 PM

    @Pete McEvoy:

    Interesting point !!

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    Mute Mike Rugby Nuts
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    Apr 28th 2019, 1:44 PM

    @Pete McEvoy: o Sheas job is a top down rebuild of Italian rugby. He is over everything rugby in Italy.

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    Mute Roibeard O' Beachain
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    Apr 27th 2019, 7:51 PM

    That’s class. Well done!

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    Mute BMJF
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    Apr 27th 2019, 8:09 PM

    Would be some scalp if the beat Munster in Quarter final

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    Mute Tim Magner
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    Apr 27th 2019, 8:20 PM

    @BMJF: and as leinster well know, they’re tricky opponents

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