Sebastian Negri and Tommaso Allan delivered the perfect tonic to Conor O’Shea ahead of the Guinness Six Nations with impressive displays in Benetton Rugby’s big Challenge Cup win.
Benetton kept their chances of reaching the knockout stage of a European competition for the first time in their history alive by recording a superb 39-7 victory away to Grenoble – finishing the pool stage with four wins from six.
Back-rower Negri sealed the four-try bonus point when he barrelled over early in the second half and the flanker looks set to be a key part of O’Shea’s plans for the Azzurri when the Guinness Six Nations gets underway in a fortnight’s time.
The 24-year-old only made his first start for Italy on the opening weekend of last year’s Championship but donned the No.6 jersey in every subsequent game, as well as twice on the summer tour to Japan and three times during the autumn internationals.
He also impressed round the park against Grenoble, making the most carries of any Benetton player, while his international and club team-mate Allan – who was also named in O’Shea’s 31-man training squad earlier this week – was impeccable from the tee at the Stade des Alpes, slotting four conversions and two penalties.
The fly-half also started every game in last year’s Championship and crossed for two tries in the final match against Scotland, who Italy face first in this year’s Guinness Six Nations on Saturday February 2.