Preview: Treviso v Scarlets

Rob McCusker will lead out the Scarlets after being named captain for their Magners League opener against Treviso on Saturday.

Rob McCusker will lead the Scarlets after being named captain for their Magners League meeting with Treviso at Stadio Comunale di Monigo.

A tough assignment awaits the Welsh outfit on Italian soil, with the competition's new-boys set to be physical, organised and strong up front and equally focused on making an impression as new arrivals in the Magners competition.

And as excitement builds for the start of the new season, the Scarlets are boosted by the news that two of their key backs have passed late fitness tests on Thursday and will start on Saturday.

Scarlets fly-half, Rhys Priestland who has been the outstanding performer of the pre-season friendlies is passed fit after a knock on the shoulder last weekend against Exeter as has the region's attacking full-back Morgan Stoddart who is making a strong impression after returning to play following last season's injury.

And the highly-rated Wales international back row, McCusker, who won his first caps over the summer, is charged with skippering the side giving an indication of the strength in depth building at Parc y Scarlets and pace of development that is being made by focusing on investment in home-grown Welsh rugby talent.

“I am really comfortable and excited about the mix of senior experience and rising talent that we have in this Scarlets squad going forward and this is the strongest group of players we have had since I started as Head Coach,” said Nigel Davies.

“I am optimistic we can build on last season's performances and the coaching team are genuinely excited about the potential that exists here now.”

Meanwhile, after their last training session before their big day, head coach Franco Smith has named the side that will face the Welsh region.

Italian international Luke McLean will take the number fifteen jersey, leaving Khris Burton at fly-half with the backs completed by Alberto Sgarbi and Ezio Galon as centre and wings Benjamin De Jager alongside with the Academy product Tommaso Benvenuti.

The Italian national side is well represented also in the scrum with flankers Alessandro Zanni and Robert Barbieri, together with number eight, new signing Manoa Vosawai.

The captain, Antonio Pavanello, will cope with Corniel Van Zyl as lock and former Italian captain Leonardo Ghiraldini will play as hooker in a front-row completed by Augusto Allori and Pedro Di Santo.

Form: These two teams have not met before, but will also clash in the pool phase of the European Cup this season. Benetton Treviso become the first Italian side to participate in the Magners League, whilst Stadio Monigo takes its place as the 33rd different venue to stage a Magners League game. Treviso have won just one of their last four games against Welsh teams in all competitions, whilst their most recent victory at Stadio Mongio against a side from Wales was 31-3 over Cross Keys in the 2000/01 European Shield. Scarlets only win in their last six Magners League encounters was 58-10 at home to Connacht on 25 April. The Welshmen have not won outside Wales in the Magners League since a trip to Connacht on 9 January 2009.

The teams:

Treviso: 15 Luke McLean, 14 Tommaso Benvenuti, 13 Ezio Galon, 12 Alberto Sgarbi, 11 Benjamin De Jager, 10 Khristopher Burton, 9 Tobias Botes, 8 Manoa Vosawai, 7 Alessandro Zanni, 6 Robert Barbieri, 5 Cornelius Van Zyl, 4 Antonio Pavanello (capt), 3 Pedro Di Santo, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1 Augusto Allori.
Replacements: 16 Diego Vidal, 17 Lorenzo Cittadini, 18 Ignacio Fernandez Rouyet, 19 Enrico Pavanello, 20 Paul Derbyshire, 21 Fabio Semenzato, 22 Simon Picone, 23 Brendan Williams.

Scarlets: 15 Morgan Stoddart, 14 George North, 13 Gareth Maule, 12 Regan King, 11 Andy Fenby, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Martin Roberts, 8 Rob McCusker (capt), 7 Johnathan Edwards, 6 Josh Turnbull, 5 Damian Welch, 4 Lou Reed, 3 Deacon Manu, 2 Emyr Phillips, 1 Iestyn Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Phil John, 18 Peter Edwards, 19 Vernon Cooper, 20 Jonny Fa'amatuainu, 21 Tavis Knoyle, 22 Daniel Evans, 23 Jon Davies.

Date: Saturday, September 4
Kick-off: 19:05 (17:05 GMT, 18:05 BST)
Venue: Stadio Comunale di Monigo
Referee: David Wilkinson (Ireland)