Although Edinburgh outscored the home side by four tries to three, with Ben Vellacott (2), Willem Nel and Stuart McInally crossing, it was Marin’s skill with the boot that proved crucial in the end.

In addition to his drop-goal, the teenager kicked a penalty and converted the second of Gianmarco Lucchesi’s two tries. Monty Ioane also dotted down as Benetton hit back to limit Edinburgh’s half-time lead to 19-15.

Meanwhile, Zebre Rugby were convincingly beaten 36-3 by Ulster Rugby at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, with Antonio Rizzi kicking the EPCR Challenge Cup side’s consolation points.

In the Gallagher Premiership, Gloucester Rugby claimed a 31-23 win at Worcester Warriors. Ben Morgan, Jason Woodward and Chris Harris all went over for Gloucester, while Adam Hastings notched 16 points. Kyle Hatherell and Sione Vailanu crossed for late Worcester tries.

Three-time European champions Saracens conceded a penalty try in added time as they lost 13-12 to last season’s Challenge Cup finalists, Leicester Tigers. Owen Farrell’s four penalties had looked to be enough to secure victory for Saracens before the late drama.

Newcastle Falcons overcame Heineken Champions Cup side Wasps, with Callum Chick scoring late on to seal a dramatic win. Falcons led at half-time thanks to a Carl Fearns try and a Will Haydon-Wood penalty, but they were reduced to 14 men on 58 minutes after Tom Penny was sent off.

London Irish fell to a 23-21 defeat at Northampton Saints, where Gus Creevy and Tom Parton touched down for the visitors either side of a penalty try.

In the TOP 14, Section Paloise triumphed 29-14 at EPCR Challenge Cup rivals USAP. Clovis le Bail, Jale Kaikadavu and Antoine Hastoy picked up the visitors’ tries, while Mamea Lemalu went over for USAP.

Joris Jurand touched down for CA Brive in their 19-12 home victory over Stade Français Paris, while Leo Berdeu kicked five penalties for Lyon but couldn’t prevent a 20-15 home loss to Union Bordeaux-Bègles.

Three-time European champions RC Toulon, who will compete in the EPCR Challenge Cup this season, fell to a 27-16 defeat at Castres Olympique. Louis Carbonel racked up 11 points for Toulon, whose solitary try came through Aymeric Luc.

Leonardo Marin kicked an 85th minute drop-goal to lead Benetton Rugby to a 28-27 win over 2015 Challenge Cup finalists Edinburgh Rugby in a seven-try United Rugby Championship thriller between two EPCR Challenge Cup sides on Saturday.