Hugh Gustafson has tasted victory in Italy before but ahead of Saturday’s clash with Treviso the Dragons hooker admits that he and his teammates face a much sterner test than in years gone by. Treviso were edged out 16-15 by RaboDirect PRO12 table-toppers Ulster last week and have already taken the scalps of Ospreys and Scarlets at home this season. The Dragons meanwhile ended a seven-game losing run in all competitions last time out against Connacht but have lost three of their last four clashes with the Italian outfit. And Gustafson has warned his troops that to underestimate Franco Smith’s troops would be a big mistake. “I’ve won there before back in the days with Rhys Thomas and Colin Charvis but it’s certainly not an easy place to go,” he said. “Treviso have got a great squad that make up most of the Italy team and they’ve beaten a few good sides out there and pushed Toulouse close in the Heineken Cup. “Whatever side they play against us – because they’ve got Leicester the week after in Europe – it’s going to be a big front five and a mobile back row and we know it’ll be a huge challenge. “They’ve also got attacking threats like Brendan Williams at full back and other dangerous players.” The Dragons have made just the one change from the side that took down Connacht as scrum-half Jonathan Evans returns to the starting XV with Wayne Evans on the bench. Benetton Treviso have lost their last three matches in the RaboDirect PRO12 but are going for a trio of home wins against Welsh opposition this season, having already beaten Ospreys and Scarlets at the Stadio Monigo. And with the end of the autumn internationals Smith has his returning stars to call on, making ten changes to the side that were pipped by Ulster. Alberto De Marchi, Leonardo Ghiraldini and Lorenzo Cittadini make up the front row, captain Antonio Pavanello and Corniel Van Zyl are back as first string locks and Simone Favaro, Alessandro Zanni and Manoa Vosawai are playing in the back row. Alberto Di Bernardo and Edoardo Gori make up the half-back pairing while Alberto Sgarbi returns to partner Christian Loamanu in the centres. And Smith has called on his troops to repeat the performances of recent years that have seen them win three of their four RaboDirect PRO12 clashes with the Dragons. “We are entering a really important period of the season with a run of games which we have to win,” he said. “We want to show we are not two-dimensional, we have lots of ways of playing. The weather has hindered that but we showed last year against the Dragons at home what we can do.” At Stadio Monigo, 3pm local time (2pm UK & Ireland). Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU, 17th competition game) Assistant Referees: Stefano Penne, Stefano Marrama (both FIR) Citing Commissioner: Maurizio Vancini (FIR) TMO: Alan Falzone (FIR) Live on Sportitalia.
