Benetton and Dragons played out a 19-19 draw in the opening round of the United Rugby Championship at the Stadio Monigo in Treviso. The home side led 19-7 at half-time, but the Welsh side returned to take two points.
Benetton took the lead through the centre of François Meye, who scored on his debut following pressure from the home pack. The advantage was extended by hooker Bautista Bernasconi from a driving line-out, and the Argentine wing Ignacio Mendy scored from the right. Jacob Umaga converted two of the home side's three tries.
The Dragons reached a try through de Beer following a good move by lock Seba Davies and flanker Thomas Young, who was a constant threat throughout the match. Immediately after the half, the Tongan centre Fine Inisi scored in the corner, and de Beer was precise with two conversions.
In the 74th minute, Umissa missed a penalty from distance, and the TMO then spotted a knock-on by Huwa Anderson before Che Hope laid the ball for the Dragons, so the try was disallowed. However, the Welsh hooker Elliot Dee scored from an impressive driving line-out, enabling de Beer to attempt a kick for the lead, but his shot from the right hit the left upright and bounced out.
In the final act, the wing Rio Dyer kicked the ball out of bounds instead of attacking for the win, so the Dragons accepted the draw. Dragons coach Filo Tiatia said that the team's mentality to stay in the fight was good, as they fought, defended well, and seized their opportunities. "We must be a little more clinical. Sometimes matches are won on kicks, and this one hit the upright. We take the draw and move on," said Tiatia.
This was Benetton's first match under the guidance of Wayne Pivac, who took over the team this summer, having previously led the Scarlets to the title in 2017 and spent three years as Wales' coach. The Dragons finished the previous season in 15th place, and in the first block of the season, they play all their remaining matches in Wales, where they face derbies against the Scarlets and Ospreys in Newport.
