Cardiff Blues host Benetton Treviso at BT Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday February 18 at 2.30pm in round 15 of the Guinness PRO12.

Both sides will be looking to bounce back from round 14 defeats, the Blues lost narrowly at home to Connacht while Treviso were beaten by Leinster Rugby.

What’s at stake? The Blues trail sixth-placed Ulster Rugby by ten points and could close the gap on their Irish rivals with a win while Treviso could edge further ahead of bottom-placed Zebre Rugby.

Cardiff Blues team news: Head coach Danny Wilson has made five changes to the side that lost at home to Connacht in round 14. The Blues are boosted by the return of Alex Cutbert, Steve Shingler and George Earle from international duty, injury and suspension respectively. Taufa’ao Filise starts at loosehead and flanker Sion Bennett makes his first start for the region on the open side.

Benetton Treviso team news: Head coach Kieran Crowley has been forced into several changes due to players being unavailable through injury and international commitments. Tommaso Allan and Tommaso Iannone combine in the midfield while Ian McKinley is at ten and Tito Tebaldi at scrum-half.

Talking points: Opposing wingers Alex Cuthbert and Angelo Esposito have both been sent back to their clubs following round two of the RBS 6 Nations to gain valuable match time. Both men will be looking put in big performances to play their way into their national sides for next weekend’s fixtures.

Key battle: Gareth Anscombe v Ian McKinley

Anscombe and McKinley will both be helped by their ball-playing inside centres during Saturday’s clash. Both Steve Shingler of the Blues and Tommaso Allan of Treviso have worn the ten jersey on a number of occasions and their communication will be invaluable.

But, the game will surely be swung on how well the fly-halves utilise their back divisions. Anscombe has the dangerous Alex Cuthbert and Matthew Morgan in the back three at his disposal.

Meanwhile McKinley can look to use returning Italian international Esposito and Michael Tagicakibau to cause the Blues some problems.

Key stat: The Blues are yet to win a PRO12 fixture in 2017, their last victory came on December 26 2016, a 27-16 victory against the Dragons.

Did you know? Treviso have won just two league games this term beating the Dragons and compatriots Zebre Rugby. Their last meeting with the Blues saw them gain a losing bonus point after a 34-28 defeat at home.

Cardiff Blues: M Morgan, A Cuthbert, W Halaholo, S Shingler, B Scully, G Anscombe, L Williams, R Gill, K Dacey, T Filise, G Earle, J Hoeata, M Cook, S Bennett, N Williams.

Replacements: M Rees, C Domachowski, S Andrews, J Down, K Myhill, T Williams, G Smith, T James.

Top points scorer: Steve Shingler 84pts Top try scorer: Tom James 6

Benetton Treviso: L Sperandio, M Tagicakibau, T Iannone, T Allan, A Esposito, I McKinley T Tebaldi, F Zani, L Bigi, T Pasquali; T Paulo, D Budd, M Lazzaroni, F Minto, R Barbieri.

Replacements: D Giazzon, M Zanusso, J Rossetto, J Montauriol, G Zanini, G Bronzini, A Pratichetti, D Odiete.

Top points scorer: Tommaso Allan 66pts Top try scorer: Dean Budd 4

Overall Guinness PRO12 head to head record:
Played 13, Blues won 9, Treviso won 3 with 1 game drawn.

At BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park, 2.30pm
Referee: John Lacey (IRFU, 60th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Sean Gallagher (IRFU), Gareth Newman (WRU)
Citing Commissioner: Paul Thomas (WRU)