European Rugby Champions Cup: Benetton Treviso v Racing Metro Paris preview
Last Updated: 24/10/14 2:50pm
The second round of action comes to a climax on Sunday at the Stadio Comunale di Monigo, where Benetton Treviso host French titans Racing Metro Paris.
Treviso found themselves on the wrong end of a five-try thumping against Ospreys last weekend, while Racing held off a late comeback from Northampton to claim four points in the French capital.
A try from Marc Andreau 40 seconds from time saw the Parisian side deny Northampton a losing bonus point and they will be keen to take advantage of Treviso’s poor form and claim a try-scoring bonus this weekend.
The Italian side are yet to register a victory this season having lost all six of their Guinness PRO12 encounters to date and their 35-point reverse last time out does not fill anyone with confidence.
Treviso captain Antonio Pavanello is predicting a tough battle against the formidable Racing second row.
“As a lock forward, when I look at Racing's second row of Kruger and Charteris, I know it's going to be very very hard for us at lineout time," he said.
"But Racing has quality players throughout the team, guys like Sexton at fly-half who are capable of pulling off great actions at any time.
"We don't have as many strengths, although we will look to our back row of Alessandro Zanni and Simone Favaro to play a major role on defence."
Ringing the changes
Treviso have made several changes following their defeat to the Ospreys, with Simone Rgusi replacing Angelo Esposito on the wing while Luca Morisi moves from outside to inside centre.
Michele Campagnaro will wear the No 13 jersey and there is also a new half-back pairing with Samuel John Christie and Edoardo Gori preferred to Joe Carlisle and Alberto Lucchese.
In the pack, Alessandro Zanni moves from the side of the scrum to number eight while Meyer Swanepoel starts at openside flank. Marco Fuser comes in to the second row to partner Pavanello while Davide Giazzon and Matteo Zanusso start at hooker and loosehead prop respectively.
Racing have also made several changes despite last weekend's victory.
In the back-line, Henry Chavancy takes over from Alex Dumoulin at outside centre while Teddy Thomas is preferred ahead of Marc Andreu on the left wing.
The pack sees Luke Charteris replacing Francois van der Merwe in the second row while props Brian Mujati and Eddy Ben Arous come in for Luc Ducalcon and Julien Brugnaut in the front row.
Benetton Treviso: 15 Jayden Hayward, 14 Simone Rgusi, 13 Michele Campagnaro, 12 Luca Morisi, 11 Ludovico Nitoglia, 10 Samuel John Christie, 9 Edoardo Gori; 1 Matteo Zanusso, 2 Davide Giazzon, 3 Rupert Harden, 4 Antonio Pavanello (capt), 5 Marco Fuser, 6 Simone Favaro, 7 Meyer Swanepeol, 8 Alessandro Zanni
Replacements: 16 Amar Kudin, 17 Albert Alfred Anae, 18 Romulo Acosta, 19 Tomas Vallejos, 20 Mathew Henry Luamanu, 21 Marco Barbini, 22 Enrico Bacchin, 23 James Ambrosini
Racing Metro Paris: 15 Brice Dulin, 14 Juan Imhoff, 13 Henry Chavancy, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Teddy Thomas; 10 Jonny Sexton, 9 Maxime Machenaud (capt); 1 Eddy Ben Arous, 2 Virgile Lacombe, 3 Brian Mujati, 4 Juandre Kruger, 5 Luke Charteris, 6 Wenceslas 7 Bernard le Roux, 8 Antoine Claassen
Replacements: 16 Jeremie Maurouard, 17 Julien Brugnaut, 18 Luc Ducalcon, 19 Thibault Dubarry, 20 Camille Gerondeau, 21 Mike Phillips, 22 Johannes Goosen, 23 Yoan Audrin
