Menoncello's record try as Benetton beat Cardiff

European Challenge Cup

Benetton (33) 38

Tries: Menoncello 2, Umaga 2, Gallo, Ratave Cons: Umaga 4

Cardiff (21) 35

Tries: Belcher, Beetham 2, Lawrence, Bevan Cons: Sheedy 5

Tommaso Menoncello scored the quickest try in European competition history as Benetton defeated injury-hit Cardiff in an 11-try thriller to reach the Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

The Italy centre scored after just nine seconds to beat the previous record of 11 seconds set by Newcastle's Max Wright against Worcester in December 2021.

The impressive Menoncello scored a second while Benetton fly-half Jacob Umaga finished with 18 points, which included two tries.

Prop Thomas Gallo and wing Onisi Ratave also crossed as the Italians set up a home quarter-final against Exeter next weekend.

Cardiff wing Jacob Beetham crossed for two tries with further scores from captain Liam Belcher, number eight Alun Lawrence and scrum-half Ellis Bevan, with Callum Sheedy kicking 10 points.

Cardiff, who were missing a host of injured Wales internationals including wing Josh Adams, showed admirable character to come back from deficits of 14-0, 28-7, 33-14 and 38-21.

In a controversial ending, the visitors were convinced they had scored a try but were denied by the French officials.

Cardiff had been decimated by injury following two matches in South Africa.

They were without five injured locks, including Josh McNally, George Nott and Teddy Williams, with Rory Thornton the only specialist second row available.

Thornton was partnered by back row academy prospect Evan Rees, who was making his first start alongside centre Elijah Evans.

Wales back row trio Taulupe Faletau, James Botham and Taine Basham were also missing, although Wales flanker Alex Mann returned.

While Cardiff were stretched, Benetton featured 10 players from Italy's Six Nations squad.

This included influential captain Michele Lamaro and Menoncello, who made his immediate impact after capitalising on a Lawrence mistake straight from the kick-off.

Umaga converted and heaped more early misery on Cardiff when he coasted through the defence.

The visitors responded and an interception from wing Mason Grady changed the momentum with hooker Belcher eventually diving over.

Benetton scored two tries in quick succession - through Gallo and a second for Umaga - before Cardiff again retaliated with wing Beetham diving over.

A brilliant break from Menoncello and outrageous pass between his legs from fellow centre Leonardo Marin allowed Ratave to pounce.

Cardiff butchered a chance when centre Evans spilled possession after breaks from Grady and Bevan.

That was soon forgotten when Lawrence dived over just before half-time as Cardiff trailed by 12 points.

Menoncello, who will join Toulouse next season, replicated his try-scoring exploits when he powered through attempted tackles from Callum Sheedy and Beetham.

Sheedy made amends with a perfectly-timed pass in the build-up to the try for his half-back partner Bevan with Benetton further punished when Umaga was shown a yellow card for a late, no-arms tackle on Lawrence.

Cardiff made the extra man tell when Beetham crossed for his second try after an interception.

There was no specialist lock on the Cardiff bench with Wales hooker Evan Lloyd coming on at number eight and Lawrence moving up to lock.

That did not affect Cardiff as they pounded the Benetton line as replacement prop Rhys Barrett was held up by Benetton captain Lamaro.

Cardiff - who turned down a shot at goal, that would have levelled the scores, to chase a winner - were convinced that they had scored before there was then a knock-on at the line from Mann as he attempted to cross.

The Italians attacked the length of the field and were denied a try themselves but the Cardiff complaints continued.

Ben Thomas had taken over the captaincy and pleaded with French referee Kevin Bralley to check the footage with the television match official (TMO).

His protests were to no avail and Bralley eventually penalised Thomas and Benetton kicked the ball out and celebrated victory.

Benetton: Smith; Ratave, Menoncello, Marin, Mendy; Umaga, Uren; Gallo, Bernasconi, Zilocchi, N Cannone, Ruzza, Zuliani, Lamaro (capt), L Cannone

Replacements: Maile, Aminu, Pasquali, Favretto, Fa'aso'o, Izekor, Garbisi, Odogwu

Yellow card: Umaga 46

Cardiff: I Lloyd; Grady, E Evans, B Thomas, Beetham; Sheedy, Bevan; Byrne, Belcher (capt), Assiratti, E Rees, Thornton, Mann, D Thomas, Lawrence

Replacements: D Hughes, Barratt, Wainwright, De la Rua, E Lloyd, I Davies, Jennings, Winnett

Referee: Kevin Bralley (France)

Assistant referees: Pierre Bru and Flavien Hourquet (France)

TMO: Julien Castaignede (France)