Guinness PRO12: Newport Gwent Dragons v Benetton Treviso match preview
Last Updated: 26/09/14 3:20pm
Newport Gwent Dragons and Treviso lock horns in Sunday’s lone Guinness PRO12 clash, with both sides in search of their first win of the new campaign.
The Dragons have won just one of their last eleven PRO12 fixtures, a 20-19 triumph at home to Treviso in round 22 last term.
The Men from Gwent have never started the domestic season with four successive defeat, though, they have won just one of their last five fixtures at Rodney Parade, again their win over Treviso in May.
Meanwhile, Treviso have slipped to six straight defeats since beating the Dragons at Stadio Monigo in April.
The Italians have not won an away game since they visited Llanelli and beat the Scarlets in the last round of the 2012/13 season.
The last four encounters between the two sides have all been won by the home side on the day, while Treviso's only previous triumph at Rodney Parade was a 33-32 success in April 2012.
Ahead of Sunday’s clash Dragoons director of rugby Lyn Jones is boosted by the return of experience trio Lee Byrne, Ashley Smith and Jason Tovey.
Welcome returns
Centre Smith returns after suffering a toe injury in March while Tovey and Byrne, who were both injured against Ospreys, return to the starting XV after successfully completing late fitness tests.
Dragons skipper Bryne regains the full-back jersey and is joined in the back three by Wales internationals Tom Prydie and Hallam Amos, with Ben John – on loan from Ospreys – forming the midfield partnership with Smith.
The front row has two changes with Boris Stankovich joining hooker Elliot Dee and prop Dan Way and the lone change to the back row sees Lewis Evans demoted to the bench as Andy Powell takes his place in the run-on side.
Treviso benefit from welcome returns of their own as head coach Umberto Casellato brings Davide Giazzon back into the pack for the Rodney Parade clash.
Giazzon returns at hooker alongside Matteo Zanusso, who makes his Treviso debut at prop, while there is also a comeback for flanker Simone Favaro.
Joe Carlisle regains the No 10 Jersey alongside James Ambrosini in the half-backs, with Luca Morisi posted at inside centre and Ludovico Nitoglia on the wing.
Newport Gwent Dragons: 15 Lee Byrne (capt), 14 Tom Prydie, 13 Ben John, 12 Ashley Smith, 11 Hallam Amos, 10 Jason Tovey, 9 Jonathan Evans; 1 Boris Stankovich, 2 Elliot Dee, 3 Dan Way, 4 Cory Hill, 5 Rynard Landman, 6 Andy Powell, 7 Nic Cudd, 8 Taulupe Faletau
Replacements: 16 T. Rhys Thomas, 17 Hugh Gustafson, 18 Lloyd Fairbrother, 19 James Thomas, 20 Lewis Evans, 21 Luc Jones, 22 Angus O’Brien, 23 Aled Brew
Benetton Treviso: 15 Jayden Hayward, 14 Andrew Pratichetti, 13 Michele Campagnaro, 12 Luca Morisi, 11 Ludovico Nitoglia, 10 Joe Carlisle, 9 James Ambrosini; 1 Matteo Zanusso, 2 Davide Giazzon, 3 Rupert Harden, 4 Antonio Pavanello (capt), 5 Marco Fuser, 6 Simone Favaro, 7 Marco Lazzaroni, 8 Mat Luamanu
Replacements: 16 Amar Kudin, 17 Matteo Muccignat, 18 Romulo Acosta, 19 Giovanni Maistri, 20 Leo Auva'a, 21 Francesco Minto, 22 Alberto Sgarbi, 23 Edoardo Gori
