Preview: Treviso v Munster

Editor

With international commitments and ten players ruled out injured, Munster name a much-changed side for their trip to Treviso.

With international commitments and ten players unavailable through injury Munster name a much-changed side for their trip to Treviso on Sunday.

Stadio Comunale di Monigo will be the setting for Munster, who endured further disruption to their plans when Peter Stringer was on Thursday called up to the Ireland squad which means that Duncan Williams will partner Paul Warwick at half-back and Academy player Cathal Sheridan is amed on the bench.

Sheridan, plays his rugby with Ul Bohemians and last weekend scored a crucial try in his side's away win against Lansdowne.

Elsewhere there's a decided new look to the Munster formation with Simon Zebo on the wing and Tom Gleeson in the centre while the twin totems of Ian Nagle and Dave Foley form the second row just behind Darragh Hurley and Stephen Archer.

Meanwhile, Treviso are without Italian internationals Leonardo Ghiraldini, Luke McLean, Alberto Sgarbi and Fabio Semenzato for the clash as they look to upset the league leaders.

Form: The two teams met in round six at Thomond Park with Munster running out 39-13 winners. Benetton Treviso have lost their last three matches since their Christmas double over rivals Aironi. Treviso have won four home games in the Magners League this season – against Scarlets, Leinster, Dragons and Connacht. Munster have won their last four games in the Magners League since their 6-20 defeat at the Dragons on 26 November. Munster have a perfect played 11, won 11 record in previous encounters with Italian opponents.

The teams:

Treviso: 15 Brendan Williams, 14 Ludovico Nitoglia, 13 Ezio Galon, 12 Andrea Pratichetti, 11 Michele Sepe, 10 Willem De Waal, 9 Tobias Botes, 8 Marco Filippucci, 7 Gonzalo Padrò, 6 Benjamin Vermaak, 5 Corniel Van Zyl, 4 Antonio Pavanello (capt), 3 Lorenzo Cittadini, 2 Franco Sbaraglini, 1 Michele Rizzo.
Replacements: 16 Enrico Ceccato, 17 Matteo Muccignat, 18 Pedro Di Santo, 19 Ignacio Fernandez Rouyet, 20 Enrico Pavanello, 21 Tommaso Benvenuti, 22 Benjamin De Jager, 23 Andrea Marcato.

Munster: 15 Scott Deasy, 14 Doug Howlett, 13 Tom Gleeson, 12 Lifeimi Mafi, 11 Simon Zebo, 10 Paul Warwick, 9 Duncan Williams, 8 James Coughlan. 7 Tommy O'Donnell, 6 Billy Holland, 5 Dave Foley, 4 Ian Nagle, 3 Stephen Archer, 2 Damien Varley, 1 Darrah Hurley.
Replacements: 16 Mike Sherry, 17 Wian du Preez, 18 Peter Borlase, 19 Mick O'Driscoll, 20 Donncha Ryan, 21 Cathal Sheridan, 22 Sam Tuitupou, 23 Denis Hurley.

Date: Sunday, February 13
Kick-off: 14:00
Venue: Stadio Monigo
Referee: James Jones (Wales)
Assistant referees: Stefano Pennè (Italy), Filippo Bertelli (Italy)
Television match official: Giulio de Santis (Italy)