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It is less than two weeks until Benetton Treviso kick their pre-season campaign up a gear, with the first of their two warm-up matches, against Harlequins at Twickenham Stoop.
Benetton will also host Georgian EPRC Challenge Cup regulars Black Lion.
Tommaso Menoncello is among the players hoping to use the fixtures to fine tune his game and be ready for a third season as a leading player for club and country.
He made the rugby world sit up and take notice in 2024 by winning the Men’s Guinness Six Nations Player of the Championship award and helping Benetton reach the United Rugby Championship (URC) playoffs for the first time.
“There's a huge amount of energy within the group,” Menoncello said. “All the players can't wait to get on the pitch for the first friendly against Harlequins.
“Even the national team players, who will join the group later, are eager to get back to playing in Monigo in front of our fans.
“We're also analysing their attack, trying to understand what to expect and preparing as best we can. In the coming days, we'll refine these ideas to be ready for the test.”
NEW FACES, NEW ROLES
It has been a summer of change for the club in northeast Italy after they missed out on the (URC) playoffs.
Ex-Italy captain Marco Bortolami left as head coach for Sale Sharks and was replaced by Calum MacRae, who stepped up after spells as defence and attack coach.
Former Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins is now in charge of the attack, though Menoncello will be without Juan Ignacio Brex, his regular centre partner for club and country, after he moved to Toulon in the Top 14.
However, Tonga international Malakai Fekitoa remains at the club, and there are hopes that Italy under-20 international Federico Zanandrea will build on his two appearances from last season.
They have also been joined by Josh Flood, a highly-regarded young Australian player who has moved to Treviso on loan from Queensland Reds.
“New coach Pete Wilkins has brought a breath of fresh air,” Menoncello said. “He's introduced new playmaking patterns that we're refining every day.
GROWING RESPONSIBILITY
“We're getting along very well, and I'm sure that with time and friendlies, we'll further improve our automatic skills. The cohesion between the midfielders is growing.”
Brex’s departure means that Menoncello will become one of the team’s leading backline players when the season starts away to Connacht on 27 September, even though he’s still 23.
Menoncello is also in line to have more responsibility in an Italian shirt after becoming a key player since Gonzalo Quesada took over as coach for the 2024 Six Nations. He played all three tests on their summer tour to Namibia and South Africa.
“This is my sixth season at Benetton Rugby, and every year I try to improve,” Menoncello said. “My goals for this year are always the same: to constantly improve at every training session and give my all to help the team win as many games as possible.”