Ulster Rugby vs Treviso

TONIGHT’S OPPOSITION

Three wins in the last five games has reshaped Benetton Treviso’s season…

“Definitely gaining some consistency at the scrum has been crucial for our recent run of form,” admitted Pavanello. “Last year every time we went down for a scrum we were being penalised with the consequence that we would concede points or at least we would be pushed back in our half. Now we are far less under pressure and that helps a lot with giving us pace in attack.” Treviso’s season turned around against Zebre: “Yes, those two wins gave us confidence because we were looking to grab at least one win since the beginning of the season but we kept losing. Winning both the derbies helped a lot mentally,” added the skipper. Benetton have won two of their three home games since the New Year, only losing by a four-point margin against Ulster on January 11th, and that speaks volumes for the importance of playing in front of your own fans in the Guinness PRO12. “Well, you know, when you play at home you get that extra confidence that helps you compete against anyone in this league,” said the 23-cap man. “In the next nine games we will play five times in Monigo and that would be a great opportunity for us to grab some more wins and increase our position in the standings.” Treviso will face Ulster again tonight, then they will fly back home to take on Cardiff Blues before moving to Galway to challenge Connacht. Then Casellato’s men will have to meet with Edinburgh and the Dragons in Stadio Monigo… “We clearly can win some more games,” said Pavanello. “Week after week we are clicking together more and more and that I am sure that will result in more tries.”

The daily workload and the trust in new Head Coach, Umberto Casellato’s style of rugby have pushed the Italian Lions away from the misery of 2014. Treviso have turned the corner and just a few weeks ago nobody would have believed that could happen. The critics have disappeared from the Monigo stands, evaporated like smoke after a Zebre two-game sweep in the double derby and a last-gasp win against Guinness PRO12 leaders Ospreys in Europe. In fact, what Treviso needed was just patience… “We needed time,” said Treviso captain Antonio Pavanello. “Now morale has gone up and our self-belief too. The win against the Ospreys helped us a lot because it gave us evidence that we are heading in the right direction and that our work is paying dividends.” Against the Welsh side, Benetton showed some much-needed improvements in the set piece, an area where Treviso struggled in the first part of the season.

CLUB STATS //Location Treviso, Italy //Founded 1932 //Ground Stadio Comunale di Monigo //Capacity 6,700 //Last Game Zebre (H) 17-15 (W) Saturday 3rd Jan 2015 at 15.00 //Next Game Cardiff Blues (H) Sunday 1st Mar 2015 at 17:15 //Recent Form L L W W L

STAFF // Head Coach Umberto Casellato //Captain Antonio Pavanello

CONTACT Centro Sportivo “La Ghirada” Strada di Nascimben, 1/b 31100 Treviso

Tel +39 0422 324 238 Fax +39 0422 324 326

TICKET OFFICE Tel +39422/324.238

www.benettonrugby.it

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