Leinster v Treviso:It's unclear what team Leinster coach Michael Cheika will field this evening, for what has become an annual warm-up against Italian opposition ahead of the return to domestic and European competition post-Six Nations. That's because the Leinster coach released a squad yesterday including all 27 available players.
Malcolm O'Kelly (knee), Luke Fitzgerald (neck) and Keith Gleeson are available after recent injury lay-offs. The presence of O'Kelly and Fitzgerald must be taken with a pinch of salt as, if fully fit, surely they would be on international duty in Italy - O'Kelly in the senior squad in place of the injured Paul O'Connell and Fitzgerald with the Irish under-20s for the grand slam fixture in Benevento on Friday afternoon.
"We need game time after nearly a six-week break and it's important we get back playing our structures, patterns and getting our match fitness right," said Gleeson, who suffered shoulder damage playing for Ireland A against the England Saxons on February 9th. "Although we won't be climbing walls and screaming at each other, the game is important because there are places up for grabs in the squad. At this stage one or two younger players may well come into the reckoning with next season and beyond in mind."
Cheika has made it quite clear recently he is in the market for new recruits - the front row being a particular area of concern.
Treviso are captained by Marius Goosen and include Australian fullback Brendan Williams as well as Italian internationals Gabriel Pizarro, Andrea Marcato and Enrico Pavanello.
Cash will be taken at the turnstiles. There is free entry for children under-12 accompanied by adults.
LEINSTER SQUAD: Backs:G Easterby, C Whitaker, J Sexton, F Contepomi, L Fitzgerald, F McFadden, C Warner, M Berne, K Lewis, G Brown, R McCarron, R Kearney. Forwards:H Vermaas, S Wright, B Blaney, B Jackman, W Green, C Jowitt, M O'Kelly, D Toner, O Finegan, R Leyden, S Keogh, N Ronan, K Gleeson, K McLaughlin, J Heaslip.
BENETTON TREVISO:B Williams; A Sartoretto, E Mulieri, M Goosen (capt), G Pizarro; A Marcato, J Gobbo; A Allori, A Tejeda, P Di Santo; D Kingi, M Wentzel; E Pavanello, M Filippucci, W Johnson.
Referee: George Clancy(IRFU).
