Edinburgh rue late red card as last-minute try secures victory for Benetton

Edinburgh's Mosese Tuipulotu was red carded with five minutes remaining in the defeat to Benetton in Treviso. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group) | SNS Group

Benetton scored a last-minute try to snatch a 21-18 victory over Edinburgh after Mosese Tuipulotu had been sent off late on in the United Rugby Championship match at Stadio di Monigo.

Jacob Umaga opened the scoring for the hosts with a penalty, but Edinburgh soon went ahead in the 18th minute when Ross McCann collected a cross-field kick from Ross Thompson to touch down on the flank.

Thompson and Umaga exchanged penalties before Benetton broke down the right and Ignacio Mendy went over, with the conversion missed. Another penalty from Thompson in added time saw the visitors edge 13-11 in front at the break.

Edinburgh's Mosese Tuipulotu was red carded with five minutes remaining in the defeat to Benetton in Treviso. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group) | SNS Group

Edinburgh – who won away to Munster last time out – extended their lead early in the second half when Ewan Ashman was driven over from a maul, but Thompson could not land the extras.

In the 63rd minute, Benetton winger Paolo Odogwu dived over after a break down the left to reduce the gap back to just two points, with the conversion missed.

The match turned in the 76th minute when Tuipulotu was shown a red card following a TMO review for a dangerous tackle, which was deemed head contact from the Edinburgh centre’s shoulder.

Benetton made the most of their man advantage, with Alessandro Izekor scoring in the final minute after a fine solo run to complete the comeback.