Benetton Stun Leinster with Last-Gasp Win at Stadio Monigo Leinster suffered a painful 29-26 defeat to Benetton at Stadio Monigo on Saturday, April 25, 2026, in a dramatic United Rugby Championship encounter that saw the Italian side snatch victory in the dying moments. The loss marked Leinster’s first defeat at the Treviso venue since 2010 and dealt a significant blow to their Champions Cup semi-final preparations. Benetton struck first through Alessandro Garbisi after Leinster overcommitted defensively, but the visitors responded swiftly as Conor O’Tighearnaigh powered over from close range to put Leinster ahead 7-5. Josh van der Flier then extended the lead following a sharp sequence involving Jamison Gibson-Park, giving Leinster a narrow advantage heading into the break. The champions briefly appeared to seize control early in the second half when Gibson-Park finished a move initiated by Dan Sheehan’s line-breaking pass. However, Benetton quickly regained momentum as Ignacio Mendy raced clear to score, swinging the contest back in favor of the home side. What followed was a tense, scrappy battle marked by defensive errors and mounting penalties. Leinster fought back into contention as Sheehan’s brilliance and a late try from Ciarán Frawley brought them level at 26-26 with five minutes remaining. Despite Frawley’s effort, Benetton’s forward dominance shone through in the closing stages, with Bautista Gasperini scoring two near-identical maul tries either side of Frawley’s score to level the match. With the game poised for a draw, Jacob Umaga coolly slotted a penalty in the final minute to secure a bonus-point victory for Benetton. The win earned the Italian side a crucial point while Leinster walked away with two bonus points for scoring four tries and losing by fewer than seven points. The result leaves Leinster reflecting on a performance marred by familiar inconsistencies as they prepare for their upcoming Champions Cup semi-final clash with Toulon. For Benetton, the victory represents a proud achievement, securing their first win over Leinster at Stadio Monigo since 2010 and providing a significant boost to their URC campaign.
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