Benetton Treviso welcome Edinburgh Rugby to the Stadio Monigo on Saturday looking for a fourth win of the season that could see them climb off the foot of the Guinness PRO12 table.

Having finished bottom of the pile last season they will be hopeful of avoiding a second season at the bottom with Edinburgh travelling to Italy on a seven-game losing streak.

A win for the Italians could move them to within three points of their opponents, while Edinburgh will be looking to strengthen their hold on ninth place.

What’s at stake?

Treviso finished 12th in 2015/16 and will be vying to avoid that again, and with Zebre Rugby just three points above them, Kieran Crowley’s side will sense an opportunity to leapfrog their Italian counterparts.

However, coming into the game off the back of a 51-5 defeat at Scarlets last week will not have helped boost their confidence.

For the visitors, pride and dignity are the rewards on offer, and having not won a Guinness PRO12 match since the turn of the year, a return to winning ways would be prize enough for Duncan Hodge’s side.

A spirited comeback effort last week was not enough as the Scots lost 22-19 to Connacht Rugby, but their fans will be hoping it is a sign of better things to come.

Treviso team news

Benetton make six changes from their trip to Wales as Luke McLean comes in at full-back and Marco Fuser plays at loosehead prop.

While four players drop to the bench as Tommaso Benvenuti, Tito Tebaldi, Tiziano Pasquali and Marco Lazzaroni are all named as replacements.

In their place are Tommaso Iannone at outside centre, Edoardo Gori at scrum-half, Simone Ferrari at loosehead prop and Abraham Steyn at openside flanker.

Edinburgh team news

Acting head coach Duncan Hodge makes just one change to Edinburgh’s side with Jason Tovey returning to the side at fly-half having been sidelined with a groin injury.

Skipper Ross Ford starts at hooker, making up the front row with Murray McCallum and Simon Berghan, while Ben Toolis and Fraser McKenzie are named in the second row.

Hamish Watson, who picked up the man of the match award last week, starts on the flanks with Viliame Mata, and Viliami Fihaki is at No. 8 having received a late call up against Connacht.

Talking Points

Edinburgh acting head coach Hodge hopes the game can revitalise his side after a frustratin run in the Guinness PRO12.

“Our composure and error count let us down last week and we’ve continued to work hard in training to sharpen up on this front and make the appropriate improvements,” he said.

“We need to start the game well and gain control in the opening exchanges tomorrow night.

“Treviso have proven many times this season that they are a tough and well-drilled outfit. They’ll battle hard to get a foothold early in the game so we need to match them by getting off the mark faster than we did against Connacht.

“We see this game as a big chance to put right our wrongs of recent weeks.”

Key battle: Alberto Sgarbi v Phil Burleigh

Sgarbi, who has played at inside centre in the absence of top points scorer Tommaso Allan, must continue his high work rate from recent weeks.

His try set up a stunning victory against Ospreys last month and Burleigh will need to keep him contained if Edinburgh are to emerge victorious in Treviso.

The versatile back has featured in 11 of Edinburgh’s Guinness PRO12 games this season, scoring just one try – in last month’s defeat to Scarlets – so will be hoping to add to that tally against what is sure to be a dogged Treviso defence.

Key Stat

Benetton Treviso have won just once in the last eight rounds of the Guinness PRO12: 13-5 over Ospreys in Treviso in round 18.

Did you know?

Edinburgh Rugby have lost all seven Guinness PRO12 fixtures they have played in 2017. They have never lost eight in a row in the history of the Championship.

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

Edinburgh top points scorer: Duncan Weir 97pts. Top try scorer: Magnus Bradbury 5

Overall Guinness PRO12 head to head record:

Played 13, Benetton Rugby won 4, Edinburgh won 9.

At Stadio Monigo, 8.05pm local time (7.05pm UK & Ireland) Live on Eurosport Italy

Referee: Frank Murphy (IRFU, 4th competition game)

Assistant Referees: Mark Patton (IRFU), Giuseppe Vivarini (FIR)

Citing Commissioner: Alberto Recaldini (FIR)

TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU)

The Guinness PRO12 Final takes place on May 27 at Aviva Stadium, Dublin.
Fans can guarantee their place by booking their tickets via www.ticketmaster.ie

Further information: www.pro12rugby.com/final