The Irish province are seeking their third consecutive league win after wins over Cardiff Blues and Newport Gwent Dragons while the home side are looking for their first win in five. What’s at stake? A win for the Italian side could see them pull clear of rivals Zebre but a victory for the champions could see them leapfrog Cardiff Blues in seventh. Benetton Treviso team news: With no fewer than eight players unavailable due to commitments with the national side, Kieran Crowley is using his whole squad for the visit of the champions. Tommaso Allan, who starts for the Azzurri against England, is replaced by captain Alberto Sgarbi at inside centre. Half-backs Tito Tebaldi and Ian McKinley start as does dangerous winger Michael Tagicakibau. Connacht team news: Head coach Pat Lam has made six changes from the side that was victorious over the Dragons in Round 15. Bundee Aki returns to the midfield to partner Craig Ronaldson while scrum-half Caolin Blade plays in the absence of Kieran Marmion who is among Ireland’s replacements to play France. In the pack, Shane Delahunt earns his third start at hooker flanked by props Denis Buckley and Finlay Bealham. And James Cannon comes into the second row to partner Ultan Dillane. Talking points: Connacht head coach Pat Lam is aware of the threats Treviso pose, especially at home and stressed the importance of meticulous preparation ahead of their round 16 encounter. He said: “We know from experience how difficult it is to go to Treviso and get a good result. With the travel factor and the short turnaround on the other side, it is so important that we get our mental preparation spot on as well as the physical side of things. “Every game and every point is vital for us and we will be going to Italy fully intent on improving on last week’s performance.” Key battle: Ian McKinley v Jack Carty While both fly-halves have been a constant fixture in their respective sides of late, both have changing centre combinations to contend with. McKinley will play inside captain Alberto Sgarbi – a very different player to Tommaso Allan – who filled that role last time out. While Carty will be pleased to have the running threat of Bundee Aki back in the 13 channel for the Irish province and will look to use him when the game opens up. Key stat: Conancht have lost just one of their last six fixtures with Treviso, a 22-21 defeat in Italy in Round 21 of the Guinness PRO12 last season. Did you know? Treviso’s most recent victory was a 23-12 win over rivals Zebre on December 23. Their only other home victory in the league this season was against Newport Gwent Dragons in round four. Bennetton Treviso team to play Connacht: L Sperandio; M Tagicakibau, T Iannone, A Sgarbi, A Buondonno; I McKinley, T Tebaldi; F Zani, L Bigi, T Pasquali; T Paulo, D Budd; M Lazzaroni, F Minto, R Barbieri Replacements: R Santamaria, M Zanusso, M Irving, L Nostran, F Ferrarini, E Francescato, A Pratichetti, D Odiete Top points scorer: Tommaso Allan 66pts Top try scorer: Dean Budd 4 Connacht team to play Bennetton Treviso: T O’Halloran; N Adeolokun, B Aki, C Ronaldson, D Poolman; J Carty, C Blade; D Buckley, S Delahunt, F Bealham; U Dillane, J Cannon; S O’Brien, N Fox-Matamua, J Muldoon Replacements: D Heffernan, JP Cooney, J Andress, Q Roux, N Dawai, J Cooney, T Farrell, S Ili Top points scorer: Jack Carty 66pts Top try scorer: Niyi Adeolokun 4 Overall Guinness PRO12 head to head record: Played 13, Treviso won 4, Connacht won 8 with 1 game drawn. At Stadio Monigo, 1.30pm local time (12.30pm Ireland & UK). Referee: Ian Davies (WRU, 57th competition game) Assistant Referees: Wayne Davies (WRU), Guiseppe Vivarini (FIR) Citing Commissioner: Marco Cordelli (FIR)
