Guinness PRO12 leaders Leinster travel to the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi to take on Zebre on Saturday 5th November, at 16:05 GMT. The four-time champions will be hoping for fireworks but could face a Zebre side fresh from a first away win in Scotland, having beaten Edinburgh at BT Murrayfield last Friday. What’s at stake? Leinster will be looking for a sixth straight victory, with a bonus point win enough to keep them on top of the standings, while Zebre will be aiming for another win which could potentially move them up to eight. Team news (Zebre): The Italians have unsurprisingly stuck with the majority of the team who beat Edinburgh, with only one change. Matteo Pratichetti replaces Tommaso Boni, slotting in at outside centre. There will be 11 Azzurri in the matchday squad. Team news (Leinster): Head coach Leo Cullen has made seven changes to the side that beat Connacht last time out. Tom Daly, Ireland 7s skipper, makes his debut for the Men in Blue and Isa Nacewa will captain the side from full-back. Adam Byrne and Barry Daly, try-scorers from last weekend, will continue on the wings, with Ireland hooker Richardt Strauss returning from knee trouble. Talking points: Cullen will be without several regular starters as Ireland take on New Zealand on the same day, but Leinster will be hoping to extend their run of eight wins against the Italians, seven with a try bonus-point. Zebre, with only one change, have a much more stable line-up, and having picked up their first win of the season last time out will be hopeful of springing another surprise in Parma. Key battle: Edoardo Padovani vs Isa Nacewa. Leinster’s top points scorer this season will hope to outplay fellow full-back Padovani, 23, and add to his 39 points this season. Padovani is just as comfortable at fly-half, and like Nacewa could be called upon as a second playmaker by the home side. Key stat: Leinster have won all eight previous encounters with Zebre, seven with a try bonus point, whilst not allowing Zebre to record a single league point. Lions contenders: Sean O’Brien is still on the comeback trail from injury, and as a result did not travel with Ireland to Chicago for their clash against the All Blacks. He will be looking to prove his fitness ahead of Ireland’s upcoming Tests against Canada, New Zealand once again, and Australia. Did you know? Leinster’s only defeat in the first seven rounds of the Guinness PRO12 was 25-33 at Glasgow on 10 September. Zebre: E Padovani, G Bisegni, M Pratichetti, T Castello, G Venditti, C Canna, M Violi, A Lovotti, T D’Apice, D Chistolini, Q Geldenhuys, G Biagi (c), M Mbandà, J Meyer, A Van Schalkwyk Replacements: C Festuccia, B Postiglioni, P Ceccarelli, F Ruzza, D Minnie, G Palazzani, C Engelbrecht, S Balocchi Top Points Scorer: Carlo Canna 36. Top Try Scorer: Giovanbattista Venditti 3. Leinster: I Nacewa, A Byrne, T Daly, N Reid, B Daly, R Byrne, J Gibson-Park, A Porter, R Strauss, M Bent, M McCarthy, H Triggs, D Leavy, S O’Brien, J Conan. Replacements: J Tracy, P Dooley, M Ross, M Kearney, R Ruddock, N McCarthy, D Ryan, H Keenan. Top Points Scorer: Isa Nacewa 39. Top Try Scorer: Josh van der Flier, Isa Nacewa 3. TV: 4.05pm, Sky Sports Match officials – Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU). Assistant Referee 1: Simon Rees (IRFU). Assistant Referee 2: Filippo Bertelli (FIR). Guinness PRO12 Final 2017 Ticket Information: Fans can save up to 20% on selected tickets, and prices start at just €30 adults and €5 child, and be booked via www.ticketmaster.ie. For further information visit http://www.pro12rugby.com/final
