Defence coach Peter Wilkins has urged Edinburgh to follow up their winning start in the GUINNESS PRO12 with another victory at Benetton Treviso this weekend.

Edinburgh beat Leinster 16-9 last Friday and have made three changes from the starting XV which took to the field at Meggetland.

Greig Tonks moves up from the bench to full-back, Sean Kennedy starts at scrum-half and Fraser McKenzie is named in the second row in place of Anton Bresler who is currently recovering from a shoulder knock.

The Scotsmen have won their last three encounters with Italian opponents, but their overall record at Stadio Monigo is two wins and three defeats.

Yet Wilkins insists his side are looking forward to the challenge on Saturday.

"It was really important to get off to a winning start and the boys will take a lot of confidence from that into this week's game,” he said.

"Like all Italian teams Treviso will front up physically and look to generate momentum, coming at us very direct to start with.

"Looking at Treviso's opening game against Munster they played with width so they'll look to dominate us and stretch us.

"It's important that we match that physicality and front up with a direct attack but equally be aware that they'll want to play with the ball and get into the space as well.”

Edinburgh have not begun a GUINNESS PRO12 campaign with a pair of victories since season 2009/10 but the Italians have not beaten any Scottish opponent since Edinburgh visited Treviso in March 2014.

Treviso have actually lost their last eight matches since defeating Cardiff Blues at Stadio Monigo on February 20 and will be looking to bounce back after a 18-13 defeat against Munster last time out.

Head coach Umberto Casellato has made two changes to the starting line-up with Simone Ragusi and Robert Barbini taking the place of Enrico Bacchin and Braam Steyn.

At Stadio Monigo, 5.10pm local time (4.10pm UK & Ireland).

Referee: Gary Conway (IRFU, 4th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Giuseppe Vivarini, Claudio Blessano
Citing Commissioner: Stefano Marrama (FIR)
TMO: Carlo Damasco (FIR)

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