Trinh-Duc ends hopes of battling Benetton

FRANCOIS Trinh-Duc’s dramatic last gasp penalty denied little Benetton Treviso an historic victory over three-times European kings Toulon.

The Frenchman nailed a kick in front of the posts two minutes into added time to break the hearts of a brave and at times brilliant home side who had threatened a major upset.

Irishman Ian McKinley appeared to have won the day for the Italians when he sent his fifth penalty sailing over.

Yet, McKinley, who is half blind in his left eye following a playing injury as a Leinster teenager, saw his side’s dreams of a memorable Champions Cup triumph denied when English referee Matthew Carley penalised them at a ruck.

Trinh-Duc, who made seven out of eight kicks, showed his international nerve to leave the home fans and players in despair.

Toulon are a shadow of the side that won a hattrick of European titles between 2013-15. They had to hang on for dear life for another one point victory at home to Scarlets last weekend. So they will also be extremely relieved to be sitting on the same number of points as Bath at the top of Pool 5.

It’s two wins from two for the star-laden French outfit but they are making hard work of both their domestic Top 14 and the Champions Cup this season.

Treviso took the game to their supposed superior rivals in an opening half which had the underdogs leading 14-13 by the break.

Wing Semi Radradra appeared to put Toulon on the way with a superb converted solo try just a minute after the start. Yet it was the Italians who dominated large parts of the first half and centre Juan Ignacio Brex burst over for a fine converted try.

Treviso edged 17-13 aheadearly in the second half thanks to McKinley’s impressive kicking. Trinh-Duc replied with a penalty only for scrumhalf Edoardo Gori to chase his own kick through and dive on the ball for a superb try.

Josua Tuisova’s interception try put Toulon ahead again but it became a nervous kicking match between McKinley and Trinh-Duc in the final 15 minutes.

Sadly, for the Italians it was the French No.10 who banged over the winning kick to ruin the fairytale.