Challenge Cup 2025/26 · Play-Offs
Benetton
Exeter Chiefs
Stadio Comunale di Monigo, Treviso
Championship Standings
No combined table in knockout play-offs. Benetton sit 12th in the URC (P13 W5 L6, −53 PD, 28pts). Exeter are 4th in the Premiership (P12 W8 D1 L3, +129 PD, 45pts). On paper, Exeter's domestic form is significantly stronger, but Benetton's Challenge Cup pedigree tells a different story.
| Pos | Team | P | W | L | PD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Northampton Saints | 12 | 10 | 1 | +113 | 52 |
| 2 |  Bath | 12 | 10 | 2 | +158 | 51 |
| 3 |  Leicester Tigers | 12 | 9 | 3 | +96 | 46 |
| 4 | Exeter Chiefs | 12 | 8 | 3 | +129 | 45 |
| 5 |  Bristol Bears | 12 | 8 | 4 | +37 | 38 |
| 6 |  Saracens | 12 | 5 | 7 | +84 | 33 |
| 7 |  Sale Sharks | 12 | 3 | 9 | −29 | 22 |
| 8 |  Gloucester | 12 | 2 | 10 | −133 | 16 |
| 9 |  Harlequins | 12 | 3 | 9 | −158 | 15 |
| 10 |  Newcastle Red Bulls | 12 | 1 | 11 | −297 | 7 |
Benetton
W5, L0Benetton's Challenge Cup campaign has been exceptional — five wins from five, 220 points scored at an average of 44 per game. The 74–21 demolition of Dragons and clinical away wins at Lions and Lyon show real European intent. The R16 was tighter — a 38–35 thriller against Cardiff — but winning ugly in knockout rugby is its own kind of form.
Exeter Chiefs
W3, D1, L1Exeter's Challenge Cup run has been strong but not flawless — the narrow 27–25 defeat at Stade Francais showed vulnerability on the road in hostile European venues. At Sandy Park they've been devastating, but this is their first away knockout tie of the campaign.
Head-to-Head Record
0 – 0 – 0
No previous meetings between these two sides
Benetton (0)This is a first-ever meeting between Benetton and Exeter Chiefs. With no historical data, this comes down to current form, squad quality, and the intangibles of a knockout match in Treviso.
Recent Results
| Date | Competition | Result |
|---|
Average score in the last 6 meetings: No previous meetings — this is uncharted territory for both sides.
Extended Form
Benetton9W, 2D, 5L
At Monigo, Benetton have only lost once this season — a single-point 14–15 defeat to Edinburgh. They've beaten Glasgow, Lions, and Ospreys with authority. Challenge Cup home form: 156 points across three games.
Benetton are a different animal at Monigo compared to on the road. At home this season they've only lost once — a single-point defeat. Their Challenge Cup home form is extraordinary.
Exeter Chiefs11W, 1D, 6L
Premiership: wins at Saracens and Sale show capability on the road. European away: a draw at Racing and a loss at Stade Francais. Travelling to continental Europe has proven different to the English circuit.
Exeter's away record in the Premiership is solid. However, the European away form is less convincing. Treviso presents another unfamiliar environment.
Benetton XV
Lineups not yet announced. Benetton are expected to name a strong XV — Lamaro (captain, openside), the Cannone brothers in the second row, Thomas Gallo at loosehead, Menoncello at inside centre, and Jacob Umaga directing operations at fly-half.
Exeter Chiefs XV
Lineups not yet announced. Exeter will travel with a strong squad for their first European away knockout tie. England wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is the headline act.
Key Matchups
The key battleground is at 10, where Umaga's composure and game management give Benetton a clear advantage. Menoncello at 12 is Benetton's X-factor. Feyi-Waboso is the one Exeter player who can change the game on his own.
Match Forecast
The scorecard yields a narrow net +3 — a coin-flip-plus that reflects how evenly matched these sides are despite the domestic standings gap. Benetton's perfect Challenge Cup record and formidable Monigo home form are the primary drivers. Exeter's European away record — a draw and a loss — suggests they find continental trips challenging.
The caveat is Exeter's overall squad quality. They sit 4th in the Premiership with a +129 point differential. If they can weather the early Monigo storm and impose their driving maul, they have the depth to pull away late. But home advantage in a tight knockout tie should tip the balance.
A genuine 50/50 tilted by Monigo — Benetton's perfect Challenge Cup run and home fortress to edge a tight contest against a quality Exeter side.