Benetton Treviso 29 Leinster 13: Magners League newcomers Benetton Treviso have taken another notable scalp at home, this time inflicting a damaging blow on Joe Schmidt's fledgling tenure as Leinster coach. The result leaves Leinster eighth in the table, two points behind their hosts and seven adrift of leaders Munster.
After a storming comeback against Scarlets at the Stadio di Monigo a fortnight ago, the Italian side were at it again, when Luke McLean and Brendan Williams claimed the second-half tries to secure the points.
McLean’s try put Treviso in command and a breakaway try from Williams at the death wrapped up victory. Tobias Botes converted both tries and landed three penalties while Kris Burton weighed in with two drop goals.
Isa Nacewa claimed all Leinster’s points with a converted first-half try and two penalties.
“I’m really disappointed with the result and the performance as well,” said Schmidt after his side’s second defeat in three games. “In those conditions you really need to have a platform to play from and I don’t think we ever gave ourselves a platform from the start.”
Leinster raced into an early lead through Nacewa’s try which he improved for a 7-0 lead.
Treviso responded with two Botes penalties and two Burton dropped goals while Nacewa landed a penalty to leave the home side 12-10 ahead at the interval.
Nacewa’s second penalty edged Schmidt’s men ahead early in the second half but another Botes penalty and McLean’s converted try, after some weak Leinster tackling, gave Treviso some breathing space.
Leinster did enjoy some concerted pressure towards the end but Nacewa and Fergus McFadden were both guilty of missing penalties.
Although Leinster were without Ireland star Brian O’Driscoll they did have Ireland trio Gordon D’Arcy, Rob Kearney and Eoin Reddan making their first starts of the season.
Treviso had Maori winger Joe Maddock making his debut after his summer move from Bath.