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McKinley on Italy duty against Ireland last year. James Crombie/INPHO

Ian McKinley among 8 players ready for Benetton exit

The Italian club may well field some of the players released again if the 2019/20 season is to resume.

DUBLIN-BORN ITALIAN international Ian McKinley is one of eight players who will leave Pro14 club Benetton Rugby when the current season comes to an end.

The 30-year-old out-half moved to Italy in 2013 to pursue a career in professional rugby when a devastating eye injury while playing with UCD forced his initial retirement in 2012.

Benetton, based in northern Italy where the Covid-19 outbreak hit so hard earlier this year, say that, on a case by case basis, some of the released players may feature again for the team if the 2019/20 season resumes.

Dean Budd, Tito Tebaldi and Marco Fuser are also among those headed for the exit door. Alessandro Zanni will retire from the game and to take up a role on the coaching staff.

The full list of players ending their time with Benetton are: Dean Budd, Marco Fuser, Engiel Makelara, Nasi Manu, Ian McKinley, Antonio Rizzi, Tito Tebaldi, Alessandro Zanni,

“Sorry to have to say goodbye like this,” said president Amerino Zatta in a statement, “at the end of a season interrupted due to the difficult situation we are going through, but I wish everyone the best for a future full of satisfactions “

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    Mute Bazalicous Dunne
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    Oct 22nd 2016, 9:01 AM

    Toulon are a shadow of themselves this season. . Chickens coming home to roost it would seem. . Hopefully the same happens at Saracens soon but this year I feel they are head and shoulders above the rest and likely wont be stopped from retaining the BT cup.

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    Mute Robert James Behan
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    Oct 22nd 2016, 12:17 PM

    The smart money is on Wasps this year! Sure they have bloody well spent enough to win it.

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    Mute John Carey
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    Oct 22nd 2016, 11:34 AM

    Fair play to Peter Stringer for playing the match , a true gentleman and professional.However it was a poor match. Toulon don’t play as well as they used to , that’s for sure. They should’ve blown Sale out of the water. There was some good performances from Halfpenny, Gorgodze and Vermeulen.
    Vermeulen was superb at the breakdown winning 3 key turnovers and working hard clearing out conceding no turnovers and gave a very physical performance up front despite a stupid yellow card. The Springboks in November will need him at his world class form. Wales will also be happy to see a fit Halfpenny for the internationals . Gorgodze gave his standard physical carries and metres helping Ollivon score his 5th try of the season which is great for a blindside and should be expecting that French call up soon.

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    Mute Robert James Behan
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    Oct 22nd 2016, 12:16 PM

    Please can we have anyone but Toulon or Sarries win it this year?

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    Mute Range Rover P38
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    Oct 22nd 2016, 10:48 AM

    Shocking match.

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