Benetton have issued a three-paragraph statement attacking media reports in Italy that Tommaso Menoncello, their coveted international midfielder, is leaving this summer for the Top 14.
The 22-year-old has been linked in recent days with moves to La Rochelle and Toulon, but the Italian United Rugby Championship club have hit out at this speculation and insisted that the centre is under contract in Treviso for the 2025/26 season.
Benetton host defending URC champions Glasgow in Italy this Saturday, looking to protect their position in the eighth and final place for the end-of-season play-offs with two rounds of matches remaining in the campaign.
“Benetton categorically denies any hypothesis…”
A club statement ahead of that match read: “With regards to what was reported by the Gazzettino di Treviso, Benetton Rugby categorically denies any hypothesis regarding a presumed departure of Tommaso Menoncello at the end of the current season. These rumours are completely unfounded.
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“The club confirms that Menoncello, like all the other players currently under contract, is bound to the club and that in the 2025/2026 sports season he will continue to wear the green and white jersey, as foreseen by the agreements in place.
“Benetton Rugby reiterates its commitment to maintaining transparent and respectful communication towards its members, fans and partners, inviting the press to treat news of this importance with due attention and verification of sources.”
Voted player of the Six Nations in 2024, Menoncello was the scorer of two tries in his five 2025 championship starts.
He has made 13 appearances this season for Benetton, including starts on their recent URC tour to South Africa, where they took on the Lions and the Stormers.
Benetton head into the final rounds of the season in the final play-off spot but are level on points with Munster and just two ahead of Edinburgh.