Benetton Treviso v Ospreys: Guinness PRO12 preview
Last Updated: 09/04/15 1:24pm
Treviso welcome Ospreys to the Stadio Monigo on Friday aiming to end a run of three straight defeats, while the visitors know a bonus-point win could send them top of the PRO12 table.
The Welsh side head to Italy in confident mood having won their last two matches, including a convincing 53-22 victory over Zebre last time out.
Steve Tandy makes five changes from that win with Wales internationals Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb, Alun-Wyn Jones and Dan Lydiate coming into the starting XV, as does winger Eli Walker.
Walker will make his 50th appearance for the club, replacing Hanno Dirkson who is omitted from the squad completely.
Tom Habberfield, Sam Davies, Lloyd Peers and James King all drop to the replacements' bench.
Meanwhile, Treviso are without Exeter-bound Michele Campagnaro and make a further three changes in the backs.
Campagnaro’s replacement Luca Morisi is paired with Enrico Bacchin in midfield with Andrea Pratichetti starting on the wing.
Scrum-half Edoardo Gori starts on what will be his 50th appearance for the Italian outfit.
Umberto Casellato also reintroduces flanker Paul Derbyshire and lock Marco Fuser following the home defeat to the Dragons in their last match.
Treviso: 15 Jayden Hayward, 14 Andrea Pratichetti, 13 Luca Morisi, 12 Enrico Bacchin, 11 Ludovico Nitoglia, 10 Sam Christie, 9 Edoardo Gori; 1 Matteo Zanusso, 2 Davide Giazzon, 3 Rupert Harden, 4 Marco Fuser, 5 Corniel Van Zyl (c), 6 Paul Derbyshire, 7 Francesco Minto, 8 Mat Luamanu.
Replacements: 16 Albert Anae, 17 Romulo Acosta, 18 Matteo Muccignat, 19 Antonio Pavanello, 20 Meyer Swanepoel, 21 Nicola Cattina, 22 Simone Ragusi, 23 James Ambrosini.
Ospreys: 15 Dan Evans, 14 Tom Grabham, 13 Jonathan Spratt, 12 Josh Matavesi, 11 Eli Walker, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Rhys Webb; 1 Ryan Bevington, 2 Scott Baldwin, 3 Aaron Jarvis, 4 Alun-Wyn Jones (c), 5 Tyler Ardron, 6 Dan Lydiate, 7 Justin Tipuric, 8 Dan Baker.
Replacements: 16 Scott Otten, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Dmitri Arhip, 19 Lloyd Peers, 20 James King, 21 Tom Habberfield, 22 Sam Davies, 23 Ben John.
