Ulster make the trip to Treviso on the back of a dominant display over the Toyota Cheetahs, while Benetton Rugby seek revenge against Irish opponents on home soil after an away defeat to Munster in Round 1. The match will get underway on Saturday at 6.05pm local time in the Stadio Monigo. What’s at stake? Benetton will be looking to make an impact in their first home game of the Guinness PRO14 season and, given they have not lost successive fixtures since March, a victory is due after last week’s loss. They face a tough task, though, as visitors Ulster have all the momentum after welcoming the Cheetahs to the Kingspan with a 42-19 defeat. Team news (Benetton Rugby): It is all change in the backline for the Italian side as Jayden Hayward comes in at full-back, while Alberto Sgarbi steps in to captain the side at outside centre. This means a move out to the left wing for Tommaso Benvenuti and Ian McKinley, full-back last week, comes up to fly-half. The forwards are slightly more consistent, with summer recruit Federico Ruzza getting his first start of the season in the second row. Team news (Ulster): Irish internationals Jacob Stockdale, Kieran Treadwell and Luke Marshall make their return to Guinness PRO14 rugby. Director of rugby Les Kiss has made five changes in total, with Stockdale joining Andrew Trimble and Louis Ludik in the back three in the absence of Charles Piutau. Callum Black joins the front row, replacing Kyle McCall, while Treadwell pairs up with Robbie Diack at lock. Matthew Rea makes his first start for Ulster in the back row with fellow flanker Sean Reidy, who comes in for Chris Henry at openside. Talking points: Ulster did not pick up any injuries last week, but Kiss has still made significant changes to his matchday 23. One notable absence is Piutau, one of six try-scorers against the Cheetahs last week. Head coach Jono Gibbes said such rotations will be commonplace so that every player in the squad feels included, but Benetton will look to take advantage of these changes on home turf. Key Battle: With Tommaso Allan’s move to inside centre and Tommy Bowe coming in off the wing, it seems as if the powers that be deliberately set up this intriguing midfield encounter. Bowe made his return from a broken ankle in emphatic style last week, scoring Ulster’s first try of the season. Meanwhile, Benetton’s top-scorer in 2016/17 is raring to get out of the blocks after being halted by a solid Munster defence last week. Key stat: Ulster’s John Cooney made the most passes in Round 1, with 109. Did you know? Benetton have won two of their last three matches at Stadio Monigo but have not beaten an Irish province at any venue since Connacht visited Treviso in April 2016. Benetton Rugby: J Hayward; A Esposito, A Sgarbi, T Allan, T Benvenuti; I McKinley, T Tebaldi; F Zani, L Bigi, S Ferrari; M Lazzaroni, F Ruzza; F Minto, S Negri, W Douglas. Replacements: E Makelara, C Traore, T Pasquali, M Barbini, A Steyn, G Bronzini, E Gori, M Zanon. Ulster: L Ludik; A Trimble, T Bowe, S McCloskey, J Stockdale; C Lealiifano, J Cooney; C Black, R Herring, W Herbst; R Diack, K Treadwell; M Rea, S Reidy, J Deysel. Replacements: J Andrew, A Warwick, R Ah You, P Browne, C Henry, D Shanahan, P Nelson, Luke Marshall. TV: BBC Sport NI (KO 5.05pm) Match officials – Referee: Dan Jones (WRU). Assistant Referee 1: Ian Davies (WRU). AR2: Claudio Blessano (FIR). TMO: Sean Brickell (WRFU). Guinness PRO14 Final 2018 Ticket Information: Fans can save up to 20% on selected tickets, and prices start at just €30 for adults and €5 for children, and be booked via www.ticketmaster.ie
