Gatland Warns of Failure

Getty Images

Warren Gatland has warned that English and French clubs' attempts to set up a breakaway tournament from the Heineken Cup will fail.

The Rugby Champions Cup, due to start next season, is a result of Anglo-French frustrations with Heineken Cup qualification and revenue sharing.

"I don't see an Anglo-French competition being successful or lasting that long," Gatland told BBC Jersey.

"I think all parties want full representation from all the countries."

The new tournament could yet include teams from Scotland, Wales and Ireland, but the Pro12 sides need their unions' approval to take part. The Welsh, Irish and Scottish unions are, in turn, waiting on the International Rugby Board's (IRB) endorsement.

New Zealander Gatland, who was appointed to the Wales post in 2008 after spells with London Wasps and Connacht as well as Ireland, believes a tournament that includes only English and French clubs will damage the international game in the northern hemisphere.

"There needs to be some sort of protection for a Scottish or Italian team potentially," he added. "Without their involvement we could see an impact going into the Six Nations."

The 50-year-old also believes that plans for the Rugby Champions Cup may have overlooked difficulties in securing officials for matches.

The English Rugby Football Union (RFU) are still uncommitted to the new tournament and their French counterparts actively oppose it.

"The referees are controlled by the unions and France have said they would not support a new competition, while the RFU have sort of stood on the fence," Gatland added.

Quentin Smith, the chairman of England's top-level Premiership, andTim Lopez, agent to the likes of Wales and Cardiff full-back Leigh Halfpenny, have warned that the uncertainty over top-level European rugby is affecting players' decisions over contracts at Welsh regions.

Related articles

• Welsh regions break silence over WRU warning as English chief claims Celtic teams want to join Anglo-French breakaway
• RFU to meet Celtic and Italian unions to thrash out compromise in row over Heineken Cup future
• Rugby Champions Cup
• Heineken Door Still Open
• Celtic nations set for climbdown over European competition
• English 'cannot quit Heineken Cup'

Sam Seeks Tougher H-Cup

Getty Images

Sam Warburton has backed Anglo-French calls for changes to how Pro 12 clubs qualify for the Heineken Cup.

On Tuesday, the English and French clubs stated they would leave the tournament at the end of this season.

The clubs have plans for an Anglo-French cup and demanded only the top six sides in the Pro12 should qualify for Europe, regardless of nationality.

"I can understand from the English and French point of view," said Warburton.

"I do agree there should be a qualifying system from the Rabodirect.

"I don't think they should hand it out to each country, it should be the top six to qualify and it would make the Rabo more interesting.

"I can agree with the English and French perspective that there should be tougher qualification."

The English and French clubs gave notice last year of their intention to pull out of the two existing European competitions at the end of 2013-14.

They are unhappy with the differing ways teams qualify for the Heineken Cup and how proceeds are shared.

The English and French clubs argue their counterparts in the other four nations have an unfair advantage in Europe.

With the Pro12 having no relegation, teams can rest players for league matches to keep them fresh for Europe, while the two Scottish and two Italian clubs are guaranteed a Heineken Cup place.

The current qualification process from the Pro12 for the Heineken Cup means only Newport Gwent Dragons have failed to qualify for this season's tournament.

Wales captain Warburton hopes a peace deal can be brokered between all parties and expects to be playing in an European competition next season.

The Cardiff Blues flanker does believe, if there is no European competition, it will mean a greater focus being placed upon the Pro12.

"Hopefully, whatever happens, the Cardiff Blues will be playing in the top tier of European rugby next season," said Warburton.

"If that was the case, then at least the standard of the Rabo would be improved because there would have to be full teams.

"I have always said if all the top teams fielded their best sides in the Rabo, it would be a competitive and great league.

"So there are pros and cons and hopefully the Blues will remain in Europe somehow.

"I cannot really imagine it happening and I am sure something will be worked out - and that the regions will play European rugby and I hope that is the case."

Related articles

• Clubs 'to set up new European cup'
• Losing the Heineken Cup would be a major blow, warns Wales and British Lions skipper Sam Warburton
• English and French clubs to form new competition as bid to save Heineken Cup fails
• English and French clubs break away from Heineken Cup
• European competition set for change
• Euro rugby row 'crazy' - Roger Lewis

Leinster v Connacht - Preview

Getty Images

Leinster coach Joe Schmidt makes nine changes in the team to face Connacht in the Pro12 derby at the RDS on Saturday.

Andrew Goodman, Fionn Carr and Issac Boss are drafted into the backs while there are six changes in the forwards.

Heinke van der Merwe, Aaron Dundon, Ben Marshall, Rhys Ruddock, Jordi Murphy and captain Shane Jennings also get a start.

Connacht make four changes with Eoin Griffin, Matt Healy, Denis Buckley and Michael Swift coming in.

Connacht are chasing a season double over the European champions after defeating them 34-6 at the Sportsground in September.

Winger Healy earn his first start and cap for the province while Danie Poolman moves to the right wing and makes way for Eoin Griffin, who resumes his centre partnership with Dave McSharry.

In the pack, Buckley is named in the front row alongside Jason Harris-Wright and Nathan White, who captains the side.

Swift, who returned from injury last week and came off the bench against Munster, will partner George Naoupu in the second row.

Jennings leads a young Leinster team and the back-row forward is one of six Ireland internationals in the starting line-up.

Amongst them is Fergus McFadden, who starts on the right wing in a back three alongside Carr and full-back Andrew Conway.

Ian Madigan lies in third place in the league's accumulators list with 74 points in 11 Pro12 games so far, and he will pair up with Boss at half-back.

Van der Merwe is named in the front row alongside Dundon and Ireland prop Michael Bent, with Devin Toner partnering Marshall in the second row.

Marshall will make his fifth appearance for the province and is one of four current Academy players or recent Academy graduates in the pack.

Leinster boss Joe Schmidt is expecting a tough challenge from a Connacht side that probably should have accounted for Munster in Galway last Saturday night.

"They have recruited well, including a number of players we know well, and will look to dominate and to be as combative as they were in their win over us earlier in the season," he said.

"We know from personal experience how good they can be and they'll be disappointed that they didn't make the most of their opportunities against Munster last Saturday, especially when George Naupou crossed the line late in the game.

"They'll be frustrated by that and motivated by it as well so there is no doubt about how committed and passionate they will be arriving into the RDS."

The recent war of words between Schmidt and Connacht chief executive Tom Sears following Mike McCarthy's decision to move from the Galway-based club to Leinster may add a little spice to Saturday's encounter.

Leinster: A Conway; F McFadden, B Macken, A Goodman, F Carr, I Madigan, I Boss, H van der Merwe, A Dundon, M Bent, B Marshall, D Toner, R Ruddock, S Jennings (capt), J Murphy.

Replacements: S Cronin, J McGrath, M Ross, L Cullen, D Ryan, J Cooney, N Reid, A Byrne.

Connacht: R Henshaw, D Poolman, E Griffin, D McSharry, M Healy, D Parks, K Marmion, D Buckley, J Harris-Wright, N White (capt), M Swift, G Naoupu, A Browne, J O'Connor, E McKeon.

Replacements: E Reynecke, B Wilkinson, R Loughney, M Kearney, E Grace, P O'Donohoe, M Jarvis, T O'Halloran.

Related articles

• Leinster Run Ends at Ravenhill
• Leinster v Clermont Auvergre - Preview
• Ireland Not Best Without O'Driscoll
• Kidney's New Kids on the Block
• National Sport: Heaslip named Ireland skipper
• Leinster v Clermont Auv'gne (Sat)

Leinster Give Cardiff the Blues

Leinster ran in nine tries to register an emphatic 59-22 victory over Cardiff Blues in the RaboDirect Pro12 on Saturday night.

The Blues had come close to upsetting Toulon on home turf a week earlier, but they had no answer to the firepower of Leinster, who ran in a point a minute during a one-sided first half.

David Kearney's break from halfway laid the platform for Richardt Strauss to cross after just four minutes, and even at that early stage all signs pointed towards a long, tough evening for Cardiff.

Jonny Sexton's conversion was quickly followed by a second Leinster try, which was scored after slick interplay between Sexton and Fergus McFadden sent Ian Madigan racing away to score. Sexton's second conversion made it 14-0, though the Blues enjoyed some respite courtesy of a Leigh Halfpenny penalty three minutes later.

The three-pointer merely delayed the inevitable, however, as Brian O'Driscoll, who left the field midway through the first half through injury, created an opportunity for the ball to be worked left for Jamie Heaslip to cross for the first of his two tries.

The hosts clinched a bonus point after only 26 minutes when Kearney crossed in the corner and a commanding 40-3 half-time lead was opened up thanks to further scores from Heaslip and Cian Healy.

It took just two second-half minutes for Leinster to add to their lead through Jordi Murphy's try, but, to their credit, the Blues rallied, and their efforts were rewarded with a try from Alex Cuthbert.

Leinster found an instant response as Madigan sent Damian Browne over, but the Blues restored a little more pride with second and third tries, first from Halfpenny, whose conversion made it 54-15, and then from Tom James, who swooped on an awkward bouncing kick to score.

But Leinster had the final say, with Fionn Carr's unconverted try rounding off a satisfying evening for the hosts.

Related articles

• Scarlets v Leinster - Preview
• Rugby News: Lions star Rob Kearney set to make Leinster return against Cardiff Blues
• Ireland Face Autumn Without Kearney
• Leinster Overcome Munster
• Live Sport Reports: Kearney out of autumn series
• Ireland's injured Rob Kearney out of squad

JJ Makes Munster Splash

JJ Hanrahan marked his first Munster start with two tries and a man-of-the-match display in the Pro12 victory over Zebre at Thomond Park.

An uninspiring first half produced just six points, with Ian Keatley and Zebre's Daniel Halangahu striking a single penalty apiece.

Munster improved in the second half and surged clear through tries from Hanrahan (2) and Felix Jones.

Luke O'Dea dotted down for a 76th-minute bonus-point score.

It was a penalty-riddled start to proceedings in Limerick.

The Italians settled quickly, although their captain Gonzalo Garcia skewed a penalty from his own half well wide.

Munster took a quarter of an hour to get within striking distance and Keatley drew his first penalty attempt wide in the 18th minute.

Munster number eight Paddy Butler was guilty of obstruction off the back of a scrum but Halangahu was unable to convert the resulting kick from the left.

Zebre, with their heavy pack putting their weight about, went off their feet at a central ruck in the 26th minute, allowing Keatley to kick the hosts ahead.

However, both sides struggled to retain possession and build attacks with referee Neil Hennessy eager to keep on top of a messy breakdown and scrum.

Halangahu had the final say before half-time, splitting the posts with his first successful kick after the Italians put pressure on in the scrum.

Five-and-a-half minutes into the second half, Munster finally unlocked the Zebre defence.

Hanrahan backed himself, darting through a gap on the right and getting past Luca Martinelli near the line for a well-taken try.

Keatley converted and just before the hour mark, Jones jinked past four defenders on a eye-catching surge to the whitewash which will have pleased watching Ireland boss Declan Kidney.

With Rob Kearney sidelined through injury, the fit-again Jones looks set to earn a call-up in the coming days for Ireland's November internationals.

The full-back's 56th-minute try was converted by Keatley who supplied the assist and the extras for Hanrahan's second, as the Kerry youngster gobbled up a teasing grubber from the number 10.

With Zebre tiring and Munster finding holes out wide, O'Dea and Jones threatened again before Laulala drew a couple of defenders and passed for O'Dea to finish off the night's scoring in the right corner.

Munster: Jones, O'Dea, Laulala, Hanrahan, Zebo, Keatley, Williams, Kilcoyne, Sherry, Archer, Donncha O'Callaghan, D. Ryan, Dave O'Callaghan, P. O'Mahony, Butler.

Replacements: Murphy for Zebo (64), Murray for Williams (57), Holland for Ryan (66), O'Donnell for Butler (64).

Not Used: Varley, Horan, Botha, Hurley.

Zebre: Trevisan, Odiete, Garcia, Halangahu, Pratichetti, Chiesa, Martinelli, Perugini, Manici, Redolfini, Caffini, Sole, Ferrarini, Cristiano, van Schalkwyk.

Replacements: Orquera for Odiete (61), Sarto for Garcia (52), Tebaldi for Chiesa (57), Aguero for Perugini (41), Giazzon for Manici (52), Ryan for Redolfini (52), Cazzola for Caffini (58), Belardo for Cristiano (66).

Att: 18,000

Ref: Neil Hennessy (Wales).

Related articles

• Munster 29-3 Zebre
• Munster 29-3 Zebre
• Munster 33 Edinburgh 0: match report
• Munster in Edinburgh Bonus
• Leinster Overcome Munster
• Munster 33 Edinburgh 0: Misery of Saracens mauling continues

Ospreys Give Leinster Rabo Blues

Ospreys edged out Leinster 31-30 in an epic, six-try RaboDirect PRO12 final to etch their name into the record books.

Shane Williams notched a 78th minute try and Dan Biggar showed nerves of steel to land the difficult conversion as the Welsh region became the first team to win four league titles.

The late knockout punch left the RDS crowd stunned as Leinster were on course to complete a famous European and domestic double - a feat not achieved since London Wasps did so back in 2004.

Joe Schmidt's men had led 17-9 at half-time thanks to tries from Sean Cronin and Isa Nacewa, and another from the Fijian international gave them a 30-21 advantage.

However, the Ospreys showed tremendous grit and will to win as Biggar landed his fourth penalty and then added the extras to Williams' effort to seal a famous comeback win.

The defeat is a bitter pill for Leinster to swallow as it is their third straight loss in a league decider, the Ospreys repeating their 2010 victory in Dublin.

Steve Tandy's side had beaten the Heineken Cup champions twice during the regular season and they nipped ahead thanks to a ninth-minute penalty from Biggar.

Leinster were level within two minutes though, Jonathan Sexton delivering a crisp penalty strike to reward the carrying of Gordon D'Arcy and Mike Ross.

Prop Ross injured his left leg at a subsequent scrum - a concern ahead of Ireland's summer tour to New Zealand - and Kiwi Nathan White had to be introduced.

Biggar hit a three-pointer before the Irish province charged back, with Brian O'Driscoll brilliantly drawing in two defenders to set hooker Cronin free for a rampaging run to the line.

Sexton converted with aplomb, a quality kick which was matched by the in-form Biggar as he topped off a powerful scrum with his third successful penalty.

However, Sexton's pinpoint restart kick was fielded superbly by a leaping Nacewa and the winger burst through for an opportunist try, with Sexton adding the extras from wide out.

But the Welshmen had the try they craved just 84 seconds into the second half, with Joe Bearman's clever offload releasing centre Ashley Beck for a well-taken seven-pointer.

Leinster replied almost immediately, Sexton rifling over his second penalty, before Ospreys captain Ryan Jones infringed at a ruck to allow Sexton to kick Leinster 23-16 ahead.

But in yet another twist, the Ospreys worked numbers on the left to release Williams for a rare scoring chance and he showed his renowned finishing skills by crashing over past Eoin Reddan.

Biggar missed the conversion, leaving Leinster with a two-point buffer, and the league's table-toppers seemed to be turning the screw when Nacewa swooped for his second of this closely-fought final.

Sexton's conversion completed his 15-point haul and pushed the margin out to nine points with just 16 minutes remaining.

It was an uphill task for the Ospreys but Biggar sent over a penalty to give his team-mates renewed hope.

Williams then signed off in fairytale fashion as the diminutive winger ducked out of Rob Kearney's challenge to wriggle over in the right corner and Biggar kicked the decisive blow.

Leinster Lose O'Brien for Osprey Final

Leinster are without injured flanker Sean O'Brien for Sunday's RaboDirect Pro12 Grand Final against Ospreys.

Shane Jennings starts at seven, Heinke van der Merwe and Sean Cronin come into the front row, and Devin Toner replaces the benched Brad Thorn at lock.

Scrum-half Isaac Boss has failed to shake off a muscle injury, while prop Cian Healy will face a late fitness test on his dead leg.

Ospreys have no new injury concerns but start with Rhys Webb at scrum-half.

That sees Kahn Fotuali'i drop to the bench at the Royal Dublin Society Showground as Ospreys try to stop Heineken Cup champions Leinster claiming a trophy double.

Wales record try scorer Shane Williams will play his last game in an Ospreys shirt before retirement, while prop Paul James will depart to play his rugby for Bath after this game.

"It's a huge game, a massive occasion for Ospreys rugby, and everybody is really excited about Sunday," said Ospreys coach Steve Tandy.

"Leinster are a great team. What they've achieved in Europe over the last four years speaks for itself, and the nature of their win against Ulster last weekend means that they'll be full of confidence.

"Playing at home in front of their own fans is another bonus for them and will make the task even more difficult for us.

For Leinster Brian O'Driscoll and Rob Kearney were fitness doubts before the European decider against Ulster last week, but came through unscathed and line up in an unchanged backline.

Jack McGrath is on standby to replace Healy on the bench if the prop fails to recover in time, while open-side flanker O'Brien lost his battle to recover from a knee injury.

Sunday's game will mark the final appearance of short-term signing, All Black World Cup winner Thorn while it will also be Nathan White's last involvement for Leinster before his summer move to Connacht.

Last year Leinster won the Heineken Cup against Northampton Saints, but went on to lose the league final against Munster.

The Ospreys have won their last six Pro12 encounters including a 23-22 victory against Leinster at the Royal Dublin Showground - the scene of the final. They also had a stunning 45-10 home victory in the Pro12 semi-final over Munster.

"Previous games won't count for a thing on Sunday, it's all about the day and who handles the pressure the best," added Tandy.

"We know that we have to improve in certain areas, we were guilty of putting ourselves under unnecessary pressure in the Munster match and that meant we had to rely too heavily on our defence.

"We don't want to have to do that on Sunday, we want to try and be more composed and look to dictate territory better."

Leinster: Rob Kearney; Fergus McFadden, Brian O'Driscoll, Gordon D'Arcy, Isa Nacewa; Jonathan Sexton, Eoin Reddan; Heinke van der Merwe, Sean Cronin, Mike Ross, Leo Cullen (capt), Devin Toner, Kevin McLaughlin, Shane Jennings, Jamie Heaslip.

Replacements: Richardt Strauss, Cian Healy/Jack McGrath, Nathan White, Brad Thorn, Dominic Ryan, John Cooney, Ian Madigan, David Kearney.

Ospreys: Richard Fussell; Hanno Dirksen, Andrew Bishop, Ashley Beck, Shane Williams; Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb; Paul James, Richard Hibbard, Adam Jones, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), Ian Evans, Ryan Jones, Justin Tipuric, Joe Bearman.

Replacements: Scott Baldwin, Ryan Bevington, Aaron Jarvis, James King, Tom Smith, Kahn Fotuali'i, Matthew Morgan, Tom Isaacs.

Referee: Romain Poite (France)

Assistant Referees: George Clancy (Ireland), Neil Paterson (Scotland)

Citing Commissioner: Denis Templeton (Ireland)

TMO: Giulio de Santis (Italy)

Shadow Leinster Trounce Edinburgh

Sportsfile

Leinster ran in eight tries against Edinburgh at the RDS to win 54-13 and secure a home semi-final in the RaboDirect PRO12.

The league leaders are guaranteed to finish in the top two following their 16th win of the campaign in a game which could conceivably be a warm-up for the Heineken Cup final.

Shane Jennings' early try was cancelled out by Nick De Luca's 11th-minute effort, before scores from Fergus McFadden and Sean Cronin saw Leinster move into an 18-7 interval lead.

Fionn Carr's 43rd-minute try sealed the bonus point but Edinburgh leaked four more touchdowns in a one-sided second half.

The game burst into life with a number of players looking to press their claims for more regular game-time, and the sight of Devin Toner galloping into the Edinburgh 22 delighted the home support.

McFadden watched a penalty attempt flick away off the left post, but covering winger Lee Jones failed to control the difficult bouncing ball and Jennings swept in to ground it for the opening try.

McFadden failed to add the conversion and Edinburgh initiated an immediate response, piling through the middle before Laidlaw's pass sent De Luca over for a well-worked try.

The right-sided conversion was landed by Laidlaw to move the Scots 7-5 ahead, but their lead was a brief one as Leinster hit back with a stunning second touchdown.

Countering from deep, Isa Nacewa sent David Kearney surging down the right wing and his inside pass was perfectly timed for McFadden to gather and complete a 40-metre dash to the corner.

But the centre's kicking woes continued with a missed conversion and a penalty attempt that went wide at the midpoint of the half.

Edinburgh defended well until Kyle Traynor infringed at a 29th-minute scrum and McFadden was back on target from the resulting kick.

Laidlaw missed a long range effort and the hosts, retaining possession well, added a third unconverted try when hooker Cronin charged on to Isaac Boss' pass to score from close range.

Into the second half, Edinburgh conceded an early try as Ian Madigan's clever kick to the left was collected by Carr and the conversion was supplied by Nacewa.

Two penalties from Laidlaw kept Michael Bradley's men in touch at 25-13 down, butr the hosts dominated the final quarter.

A Nacewa penalty put 15 points between the sides and then the full-back burst on to a Boss pass to grab try number five which he converted himself.

A powerful lineout maul saw replacement Leo Auva'a crash over for the sixth, and a scintillating length of the field break, sparked by man-of-the-match Madigan, put another reserve, Brendan Macken, over in the same right corner.

The icing on the cake for Joe Schmidt's charges was a last-minute try for giant lock Toner, who darted through a gap and muscled over past the final two defenders.

Join OSM news service

Finito for Aironi Rugby

Aironi are set to be jettisoned from next season's RaboDirect PRO12 and Heineken Cup due to ongoing financial struggles in Italian rugby, reports ESPN.

Following the withdrawal of their main sponsor, Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena, it has been increasingly difficult for club officials to maintain a footing among Europe's elite.

Aironi were introduced to the former Celtic league two seasons ago, along with Benetton Treviso, but on-field results have been disappointing in comparison with their Italian rivals.

The club currently sits bottom of the PRO12, eight points adrift of Edinburgh, and suffered an early exit from this season's Heineken Cup, where they were hammered 82-0 by Clermont Auvergne.

The Federazione Italiana Rugby (FIR) must now decide the best course of action in terms of replacing Aironi, with a deadline for submissions of interest set for April 25. Whether or not any interest can be raised remains to be seen, with Italy currently battling economic hardship due to the Eurozone crisis.

The RaboDirect PRO12 entry criteria will also pose problems to any prospective bidders, with Treviso understood to be the only club aside from Aironi currently able to fulfil the economic obligations.

Rumours suggest that the FIR could be pressed into forming a centralised, union-funded second region as a back-up plan, with the club tentatively named Azzurri and based in Parma or Calvisano.

ESPN

Madigan Makes it Six

Leinster stretched their lead at the top of the Pro12 table to 14 points after surging past Benetton Treviso at the RDS.

Ian Madigan crossed for his sixth try of the campaign to send the province on their way to an 11-3 half-time lead.

Matteo Muccignat's opportunist try saw the Italians draw closer.

But Leinster blitzed them in the final quarter, scoring tries through Richardt Strauss, Isa Nacewa, John Cooney and Fionn Carr.

With the wet and windy conditions making handling difficult, the bonus point had looked out of reach for Joe Schmidt's much-changed side.

Treviso were missing 15 of their internationals due to Six Nations commitments.

The home side, also missing a plethora of front-line players, looked cohesive right from the off and Nacewa swung over a terrific opening penalty in the fifth minute.

The Italians, playing into the wind, levelled the game in the 19th minute with Alberto Di Bernardo's drop goal which just squeezed over from the 22.

But Leinster were back in front just three minutes later, the quick feet of Madigan allowing him to scoot away from two defenders and dive over in the right corner.

Nacewa converted his second successful penalty from the left for 11-3.

In the second half, after Nacewa landed his third penalty, Treviso struck for a try which their efforts merited.

A well-timed 55th-minute pass from Pedro Di Santo sent fellow prop Muccignat over in the right corner with Di Bernardo narrowly missing the conversion.

Leinster had a game on their hands at 14-8, but they purred to victory with a typically swashbuckling run of scores.

It started off with Isaac Boss passing for Strauss to barrel over from close range.

Shortly afterwards, full-back Nacewa linked with David Kearney before taking a return pass to cross out wide for another seven-pointer.

Leinster got their fourth try in the 71st minute as Nacewa broke and drew the cover to send replacement scrum-half Cooney over from just outside the 22.

Carr, who threatened throughout with ball in hand, was rewarded in the final minute when he gobbled up a Madigan kick and jinked over for try number five.

Leinster: I Nacewa; D Hudson, B Macken, C O'Shea, F Carr; I Madigan, I Boss; H van der Merwe, R Strauss, N White; D Browne, D Toner; K McLaughlin (capt), S Jennings, L Auva'a

Replacements: T Sexton, J McGrath, J Hagan, M Flanagan, J Murphy, J Cooney, N Reid, A Boyle

Benetton Treviso: L Nitoglia; B De Jager, E Galon, A Pratichetti, B Williams; A Di Bernardo; M Muccignat, E Ceccato, I Fernandez Rouyet; F Minto, V Bernabo (capt); G Padro, B Vermaak, M Filippucci

Replacements: D Vidal, C Fazzari, P Di Santo, M Fuser, E Pavanello, S Picone, G Garcia, T Iannone

Referee: Leighton Hodges (Wales)

Assistant Referees: Mark Patton, Richard Kerr (both IRFU)

Citing Commissioner: Kevin Beggs (Leinster)

TMO: Alan Rogan (IRFU)