Benetton got their United Rugby Championship season up and running with a convincing 38-10 bonus-point win over Sharks at Stadio Monigo.
The Scottish capital club needed to beat the Italians to guarantee extending their season but the Lions’ losing point against the Stormers in Cape Town sealed their fate.
The Bulls booked a home tie in the United Rugby Championship play-offs after beating Benetton 56-35 at Loftus Versfeld.
Scotland fly-half Adam Hastings has returned to the Gloucester squad to face Benetton on Saturday in the Challenge Cup semi-final at Kingsholm after missing the loss to Exeter Chiefs last week in the Gallagher Premiership.
Ulster made it consecutive home wins in the United Rugby Championship with a thrilling defeat of Benetton at Kingspan Stadium.
Benetton kept themselves firmly on course for the United Rugby Championship play-offs by claiming a 36-19 bonus-point victory over the Dragons in Treviso.
Connacht’s involvement in the European Challenge Cup was ended by Benetton who ran out 39-24 winners in the quarter-finals in Treviso.
Benetton produced a late scoring burst to defeat United Rugby Championship opponents the Ospreys 18-13 at Stadio di Monigo.
