Edinburgh Rugby rounded off the opening weekend of the Guinness PRO14 season in style as they toppled Zebre 50-15 at BT Murrayfield.

Four first-half tries sealed the bonus point before the break and put the hosts firmly in control, Mark Bennett finishing with a hat-trick in a standout display.

And with head coach Richard Cockerill challenging his charges to reach the play-offs at a minimum this season, they started as they mean to go on.

Key moments

The hosts powered into an early lead five minutes into the fray, Fraser McKenzie bulldozing over from short range.

Francois Brummer slotted a penalty but after a quarter of an hour Edinburgh grabbed their second, Nic Groom’s deflected grubber finding Bennett over the paint.

Zebre got themselves back into the game in opportunistic style, Giovanni Licata charging down Groom’s kick before unleashing an emphatic dive to slam the ball down inches before it bounced dead.

All-action Groom was next to cross, fed by Duhan van der Merwe after the winger slipped round the outside, before the hosts wrapped up a bonus point before half time through Scott’s score.

Bennett got the ball rolling in the second 40 as he grabbed his second on a perfect angle, before 18-year-old Federico Mori grabbed a try on debut in response for Zebre.

Bennett grabbed his third to crown a fabulous display, before Jamie Farndale finished things off with one final score.

Man of the match

What a triumphant return it was for Mark Bennett.

Three tries highlighted his sevens pedigree, and he posed a clinical threat to Zebre throughout; Richard Cockerill will be delighted to see his man fit and firing after his injury nightmare.

Play of the day

They may have left BT Murrayfield defeated, but a moment of first-half magic will have had fans of Zebre purring.

Licata showed outstanding athleticism to chase down Groom’s box kick, steady himself and swan-dive to touch down in the nick of time.

Cardiff City Stadium will play host to the 2020 Guinness PRO14 Final on June 20 as one of the most exciting days in the club rugby calendar comes to Wales!

General sale tickets are available from http://bit.ly/PRO14Cardiff2020 and prices start at just £13 for concessions and £26 for adults (subject to booking fees), that’s a 15% early bird discount. Family ticket (2 adults / 2 children) prices begin at £64 and fans are encouraged to buy early to get the best value tickets.