Treviso v ConnachtIT'S ALL fine and dandy targeting these matches as potential victories but as Connacht will quickly glean from the team-sheet, the cupboard is far from bare in terms of the number of Italian internationals available to their hosts.
Treviso will present a traditional obstacle. They possess a brutish pack and in Australian -born, Italian international Kristopher Burton and the South African Brendan Williams, two players who will ask questions of the visitors’ defence. Treviso will rely on the big boot of another South African Willem De Waal at outhalf.
Rodney Ah You, demonstrated in the match against an Ireland XV that he’s more than capable in the tight. The visitors field an athletic and abrasive backrow and will benefit hugely from Mike McCarthy’s return from the national squad.
Frank Murphy and the former Osprey Matthew Jarvis form the halfback partnership and Henry Fa’afili and Eoin Griffin a potent centre partnership. Ulsterman Mark McCrea, Tiernan O’Halloran and captain, Gavin Duffy, form a back three with plenty of football.
Last year was an impressive starting point for coach Eric Elwood but further progress is the goal. Today represents a chance to make a statement of intent in terms of Connacht’s ability to challenge on the road: especially in that they pay five of their first eight matches away from home.
BENETTON TREVISO: L Nitoglia; M Sepe, K Burton, A Pratichetti, B Williams; W De Waal, A Chillon; M Rizzo, F Sbaraglini, A Allori; A Pavanello (capt), V Berabo; M Fillipucci, F Minto, M Vosawi. Replacements: D Vidal, M Muccignat, P Di Santo, G Padrò, B Vermaak, S Picone, A Di Bernardo, B De Jager.
CONNACHT: G Duffy (capt); M McCrea, E Griffin, H Fa'afili, T O'Halloran; M Jarvis, F Murphy; R Loughney, A Flavin, R Ah You; M Swift, M McCarthy; J Muldoon, R Ofisa, G Naoupu. Replacements: E Reynecke, D Buckley, D Rogers, TJ Anderson, J O'Connor, P O'Donohoe, N O'Connor, B Tuohy.
Referee: D Phillips (IRFU)
