Connacht v Benetton Treviso

Guinness Pro 12 Round 16

Sunday 1st March 2015 Kick Off: 17:15 On TV: TG4 / Nuvolari

After regaining a slight advantage over their rivals in the race for European Champions Cup Rugby, Connacht will hope to strengthen their grip on 6th place by recording a double over Benetton Treviso for the first time since the Italian side joined the league. Treviso's form has improved in recent times with 3 wins in their last 5 league games and a narrow defeat at home to Ulster enabling them to build a significant lead over Zebre in the race for the Italian Champions Cup slot.

Other Match Stats
In the 9 meetings since Benetton Treviso joined the league, Connacht have won 5 and drawn 1
Treviso have won once at the Sportsground a 15-13 win on December 2nd 2011
Treviso's last win outside Italy was in May 2013 away to Scarlets
Treviso have scored an average of just over 15 points per game in their games to date.
Treviso have conceded an average of just over 29 points per game in their games to date.
Treviso have scored 24 tries and conceded 55 tries in their matches to date.

Benetton Treviso Stats
Website: www.benettonrugby.it
Founded: 1932
Ground: Stadio Monigo
Capacity: 6,700
Captain: Antonio Pavanello
Coaches: Umberto Casellato

Guinness Pro 12 League Position 2014/15: P: 15 Points 18
Rabo Direct Pro 12 League Position 2013/14: 11th Points 30.
European Champions Cup 2014/15: 4th in Pool 5 Points: 4
Heineken Cup 2013/14: 4th in Pool 5 Points: 0

Previous Fixtures
Benetton Treviso 40-24 Cardiff Blues (Round 15)
Ulster 43-3 Benetton Treviso (Round 14)
Benetton Treviso 23-20 Ospreys (Round 6 Champions Cup)
Racing Metro 53-7 Benetton Treviso (Round 5 Champions Cup)
Benetton Treviso 20-24 Ulster (Round 13)

Next Fixture:
Saturday 7th March 2015 Benetton Treviso v Edinburgh. Kick Off: 19:00 (local time) @ Stadio Monigo

European Cup (Pool 5)
Racing Metre 24
Northampton 19
Ospreys 9
Benetton Treviso 4

Benetton Treviso Ins and Outs 2014/15
Players In
Davide Giazzon from Zebre
Bruno Mercanti from Petrarca Padova
Romulo Acosta from Petrarca Padova
Albert Anae from Reds
Josè Francisco Novak from Petrarca Padova
Rupert Harden from Gloucester
Salesi Manu from Western Force
Matteo Zanusso from Amatori San Donà
Meyer Swanepoel from Mogliano
Tomas Vallejos Cinalli from West Red Sparks
Marco Barbini from Mogliano
Leo Auva'a from Leinster
Matt Luamanu from Kyuden Voltex
Alberto Lucchese from Mogliano
Henry Seniloli from Tailevu Knights
Joe Carlisle from Wasps
Simone Ragusi from Rovigo Delta
Enrico Bacchin from Mogliano
Jayden Hayward from Western Force
Sam Christie from Waikato
Ruggero Trevisan from Zebre
Amar Kudin from Mogliano
Marco Lazzaroni from Mogliano

Players Out
Tobias Botes to Eastern Province Kings
Alberto De Marchi to Sale Sharks
Lorenzo Cittadini to Wasps
Luke McLean to Sale Sharks
Brendan Williams retired
Manoa Vosawai to Cardiff Blues
Christian Loamanu to Leicester Tigers
Leonardo Ghiraldini to Leicester Tigers
Robert Barbieri to Leicester Tigers
Michele Rizzo to Leicester Tigers
Alberto Di Bernardo to Lille MR
Valerio Bernabò to Zebre
Matt Berquist to Hawke's Bay
Enrico Ceccato to Rovigo Delta
Pedro Di Santo to Uru Curè
Marco Filippucci to Mogliano
Fabio Semenzato to Mogliano
Ignacio Fernandez Rouyet to Mogliano
Franco Sbaraglini retired

Previous Meetings
Friday 10th October 2014
Treviso 6-9 Connacht
www.pro12rugby.com/matchcentre/15825.php

Saturday 1st March 2014
Connacht 38-6 Treviso
www.pro12rugby.com/matchcentre/14385.php

Friday 4th October 2013
Benetton Treviso 23-3 Connacht
www.pro12rugby.com/matchcentre/13018.php