Winning a turnover in the final minute to seal a 32-25 win, Benetton Rugby took down two-time champions Stade Rochelais in incredible fashion to secure knockout qualification.
Niccolo Cannone opened the scoring for Benetton Rugby after Stade Rochelais went down to 14 with Tawera Kerr-Barlow heading to the bin.
The visitors responded through Jack Nowell to go ahead, but a penalty from Rhyno Smith just before the break made it 13-11 to Benetton at the half-time break with a try apiece from Niccolo Cannone, and Jack Nowell for the visitors.
And despite a double from Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Bautista Bernasconi's try for the hosts along with four penalties, saw them hold on for a memorable 32-25 win.
Benetton secured Investec Champions Cup knockout qualification with the victory, while Stade Rochelais' losing bonus point secured them a home knockout.
Scorers:
Benetton Rugby: Tries: Niccolo Cannone, Bautista Bernasconi. Conversions: Tomas Albornoz, Rhyno Smith. Penalties: Tomas Albornoz (2), Rhyno Smith (4).
Stade Rochelais: Tries: Jack Nowell, Tawera Kerr-Barlow (2). Conversions: Antoine Hastoy (2). Penalties: Antoine Hastoy (2).
Teams
Benetton Rugby: 15 Rhyno Smith, 14 Tommaso Menoncello, 13 Ignacio Brex, 12 Malakai Fekitoa, 11 Matt Gallagher, 10 Tomas Albornoz, 9 Alessandro Garbisi, 8 Lorenzo Cannone, 7 Manuel Zuliani, 6 Alessandro Izekor, 5 Eli Snyman (c), 4 Niccolò Cannone, 3 Simone Ferrari, 2 Siua Maile, 1 Thomas Gallo. Replacements: 16 Bautista Bernasconi, 17 Nahuel Tetaz, 18 Giosué Zilocchi, 19 Federico Ruzza, 20 Sebastian Blacks, 21 Michele Lamaro, 22 Andy Uren, 23 Leonardo Marin
Stade Rochelais: 15 Brice Dulin, 14 Jack Nowell, 13 Ulupano Seuteni, 12 Jules Favre, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Antoine Hastoy, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Greg Alldritt (c), 7 Oscar Jegou, 6 Paul Boudehent, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Thomas Lavault, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Quentin Lespiaucq, 1 Alexandre Kaddouri. Replacements: Nikolozi Sutidze, Thierry Paiva, Georges-Henri Colombre Reazel, Ultan Dillane, Levani Botia, Matthias Haddad, Hoani Bosmorin, Hugo Reus.
