Focus Turns To Treviso

Munster and Treviso’s European form guide might favour the Irish-men, but history also suggests that Anthony Foley’s side will remain wary of the Italians in Sunday’s conclusion of Pool 5 proceedings – KO 1pm (Irish time).

Despite losing five from five in the current campaign so far, Treviso found themselves in the same situation last season from where they rallied in front of their ‘tifosi’ to hand Ospreys a 23-20 defeat in Round 6.
 
Munster too have tasted defeat at the Stadio Monigo in recent seasons.  In September 2013, huge intensity from the hosts induced persistent ill-discipline from Munster with the province seeing no less than four players sent to the bin.  As penance for their sins, Munster suffered a 29-19 PRO12 defeat, the Italians kicking five penalties and scoring 2 tries in the process.
 
More recently, Treviso were unlucky not to achieve wins over Leinster and Ulster in last season’s PRO12 and also impressed in putting three tries past Anthony Foley’s men at Irish Independent Park in April – Munster at the time had the best defensive record of the league.
 
That form was again witnessed in Cork when Treviso handed Munster a shaky start to this season’s league campaign.  Leading 6-7 at half time, the visitors held out for a losing bonus point as the province dug deep to secure an eventual 18-13 win.
 
The opening of this season’s Champions Cup campaign again saw the sides go toe-to-toe in the early exchanges at Thomond Park – a try apiece in the opening 40 – but the Italians will look to avenge a dominant second half display from Munster that saw them cross a further three times on their way to picking up the maximum five points.
 
Previewing this weekend’s encounter Head Coach Anthony Foley said, “We need to turn up next weekend.  Plenty teams have gone down to Treviso and come unstuck in Round 6 – just look at Ospreys last season.  We need to turn up in the right frame of mind, have the right attitude and see if we can earn a result over there.”
 
Benetton Treviso v Munster, European Champions Cup Round 6, Sunday January 24^th at the Stadio Monigo – KO 1pm (Irish).
 
Team Comparison – European Cup Record