Benetton and Leinster have played out some thrillers in recent seasons and with a win and a draw on their last two visits to Dublin, the Italians will clearly have no fear of their Irish opponents – even without a massive World Cup contingent.

They have only beaten Leinster in the Championship at Stadio Monigo on one occasion, way back in September 2010, but securing their first-ever appearance in the Guinness PRO14 Final Series last term shows what a coming force they are.

There are five debutants in the Benetton line-up selected by Kieran Crowley, including Munster stalwart Ian Keatley providing a steadying influence at fly-half.

Leinster are reigning Guinness PRO14 champions but their squad has been ravaged by World Cup call-ups – the perils of being so successful over the past few years – but such is their depth, they can still boast the likes of Jamison Gibson-Park, Ross Byrne and Devin Toner in their ranks.

Kick-off: Stadio Monigo, Treviso | 18:15 ITA / 17:15 UK, Saturday 28 September

How to watch: Live on DAZN, Premier Sports, eir Sport

Players to watch out for: Ian Keatley (Benetton), Devin Toner (Leinster)

Even with the myriad players otherwise engaged on international duty, plenty of experience will still be taking to the Stadio Monigo pitch.

New Benetton signing Ian Keatley has 196 Guinness PRO14 appearances and 1,428 points under his belt after years with Connacht and Munster but the 32-year-old fly-half will now try to expertly steer Crowley’s men to glory.

There was perhaps no bigger shock omission when Joe Schmidt named his World Cup squad than Devin Toner and the towering 67-cap lock will undoubtedly be desperate to prove a point in domestic duty, as well as putting himself in the frame in case of injuries in Japan.

Key stat: The Italians have secured just one victory over an Irish province since April 2016, but that was against Leinster at the RDS Arena in April 2018.

Benetton XV: Angelo Esposito, Ratuva Tavuyara, Joaquin Riera, Alberto Sgarbi ©, Monty Ioane, Ian Keatley, Luca Petrozzi; Derrick Appiah, Tomas Baravalle, Michele Mancini Parri, Irnè Herbst, Eli Snyman, Marco Lazzaroni, Marco Barbini, Toa Halafihi

Replacements: Engjel Makelara, Cherif Traore, Filippo Alongi, Niccolò Cannone, Giovanni Pettinelli, Charly Trussardi, Ian McKinley, Luca Sperandio

Leinster XV: Jimmy O’Brien, Adam Byrne, Rory O’Loughlin, Joe Tomane, Dave Kearney, Ross Byrne, Jamison Gibson-Park; Peter Dooley, Rónan Kelleher, Michael Bent, Ross Molony ©, Devin Toner, Max Deegan, Will Connors, Caelan Doris

Replacements: James Tracy, Michael Milne, Vakh Abdaladze, Josh Murphy, Scott Penny, Hugh O’Sullivan, Harry Byrne, Hugo Keenan