Ulster will need to ensure there is no complacency this weekend according to back rower Clive Ross as they travel to the Stadio Monigo to take on Benetton Treviso.

In the opening round of the Guinness PRO12, Ulster battled back from an early deficit to beat Newport Gwent Dragons 20-8, and take on a Treviso side who pushed Leinster hard.

And after getting the nod in the back row once again, Ross explained that skipper Andrew Trimble has helped the team remain focused.

Ross said: “It’s something Andrew Trimble said during the week, you can’t rely on the emotion of an inter-pro or a big game.

“It’s a challenge in itself to get up for every game and that’s the approach we’re taking.”

Ulster’s starting XV features six changes from the side that took the field in the opening round.
Rob Lyttle has been rewarded for an eye-catching appearance off the bench against the Dragons, when the 19-year-old grabbed a brace of tries, with a starting place on the right wing.

Summer signing Kieran Treadwell will make his first competitive start for the Province when he will partner Franco van der Merwe in the second row.

Rob Herring will again captain the side from hooker and he will be joined in the front row by the recalled Kyle McCall and Rodney Ah You.

The back row trio of Ross, Sean Reidy and Roger Wilson have all been retained, while man of the match last weekend, Ruan Pienaar, will once again line up alongside Brett Herron in the half-backs.

Stuart Olding, making his 50^th appearance for the club, will shift from outside to inside centre and will be joined in midfield by fellow Irish international Luke Marshall, while Lyttle is included in the back three with fellow try-scorer from last week, Jacob Stockdale, and the returning Louis Ludik.

Benetton Captain Alessandro Zanni is unavailable due to injury to his knee in the opening minutes of last week’s match against Leinster.

As a result he misses out in the only change to the starting XV, with Marco Barbini taking his place in the back row.

And centre Tommaso Benvenuti, who continues in the centres, is expecting another tough challenge from Ulster.

He said: “Ulster are a very strong opponent, but different to Leinster. They have a lot of pace but are also more physical.

“They have strengthened their squad, especially in the three-quarters, they will look to move the ball quickly and play out wide.

“We will have to be attentive and take points when we can.”

Benetton Treviso: Hayward, Esposito, Benvenuti, McLean (c), Buondonno, Allan, Bronzini; Ferrari, Gega, Fuser, Paulo, Minto, Quaglio, Lazzaroni, Barbini

Replacements: Santamaria, De Marchi, Pasquali, Gerosa, Budd, Gori, McKinley, Odiete

Ulster: Ludik, Lyttle, Marshall, Olding, Stockdale, Herron, Pienaar; McCall, Herring (c), R Ah You, Treadwell, van der Merwe, Ross, Reidy, Wilson

Replacements: Andrew, Warwick, Kane, Browne, Diack, Lloyd, McCloskey, Cave

Overall Guinness PRO12 head to head record:

Played 12, Benetton Rugby Treviso won 1, Ulster won 10 and 1 game drawn.

At Stadio Monigo, 18:05 local time (17:05 UK & Ireland) Live on BBC Sport NI
Referee: Dudley Phillips (IRFU, 62nd competition game)
Assistant Referees: Sam Grove-White (SRU), Simone Boaretto (FIR)
Citing Commissioner: Stefano Marrama (FIR)
TMO: Charles Samson (SRU)