Benetton Rugby Treviso
Ninety years of history.
L’Associazione Sportiva Rugby Treviso fu fondata nel 1932, per gareggiare a livello universitario.
It was during the post-war period that the club gradually restructured itself until it won its first National title in 1956, in that period between the 1950s and 1960s when the Veneto were dominating the Italian championships..
The second "tricolore" came in 1978, under the leadership of Umberto Cossara. The turning point came that same year with the club’s acquisition by the Benetton Group, and a name change to Benetton Rugby Treviso. Thus began the journey that would lead to becoming the most successful club in Italian rugby.
During the 1980s, celebrated New Zealand champions, such as future world champions, John Kirwan and Craig Green, joined the team along with many national team players as well. With an increasingly strong squad, the “Lions” played seven consecutive national finals and won two National titles.
The 1990s and 2000s witnessed many of the players who led Italy to the 5 Nations. To name a few, they were champions of the caliber of Giovanni Grespan, Alessandro Troncon, Mark Giacheri, Francesco Mazzariol, and Ivan Francescato.
In 2010 the club ended a fantastic 20-year run with 15 National titles, 4 Italian Cups, and 2 Super Cups in its trophy case.
Since 2010, Benetton Rugby Treviso has competed in the prestigious Celtic League alongside the best teams from Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Starting in 2017, the team also competed against South Africa. The competition would change its name several times over the years, until it became the United Rugby Championship.
After reaching the quarterfinals in the Challenge Cup (the best result ever for an Italian team) in 2021, the team recorded its greatest triumph when it beat the Pretoria Bulls in the final at the Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup.
The 2021-22 season saw four strong South African franchises join the competition but Benetton Rugby, led by coach Marco Bortolami, still managed to reach the Challenge Cup round of 16.
Palmarés:
- 15 National Championships
- 4 Italian Cups
- 2 Italian Super Cups
- 1 Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup
- 7 Under-18 Championships
- 8 Under-16 Championships
