Glasgow Warriors head to Italy on a five-match winning run and head coach Gregor Townsend hopes that momentum can ensure a top-four finish.

The Scotsmen head to Benetton Treviso on Saturday night a point behind fourth-placed Munster and having played a game fewer than those above them in the GUINNESS PRO12 table.

That game in hand comes next Friday against Zebre Rugby and Townsend has used the opportunity to take 35 players out to Italy, where they will remain between the two fixtures.

For now, flanker Simone Favaro lines up against former club Treviso replacing Chris Fusaro.

And Taqele Naiyaravoro replaces Tommy Seymour on the right wing, Adam Ashe is preferred to Ryan Wilson and Josh Strauss switches from No8 to blindside flanker.

Peter Horne comes in for Alex Dunbar at inside centre, while lock Tim Swinson joins captain Jonny Gray in the second row with Leone Nakarawa the man to miss out.

Townsend said: “Last week’s result against Ulster [27-17] was important for the club and our focus is now on building on our momentum against Treviso.

“Treviso will be tough opposition as they showed in the game at Scotstoun earlier in the season, when we won with a late try.

“They have also performed very well at home in their most recent games.

“Back-to-back games in Italy enable us to take out an extended squad of 35 players to have a week-long training camp, which we’re all looking forward to.”

Treviso have won two of their last three matches at the Stadio Monigo, the sole reverse in that time a narrow 16-13 defeat to Munster.

There are starts on Saturday for full-back Jayden Hayward, Ludovico Nitoglia and Angelo Esposito on the wings, while Tommaso Iannone and Sam Christie will marshal the midfield.

James Ambrosini starts at No10, with Edoardo Gori next to him at scrum-half.

Alberto De Marchi, Luca Bigi and Filippo Filippetto make up the front row, with Filo Paulo and Marco Fuser in the engine room.

Marco Lazzaroni, Alessandro Zanni and Robert Barbieri complete the pack.

Treviso have not beaten a Scottish opponent since their win over Edinburgh in March 2014 and not had the better of Glasgow since September 2011 – a run of eight fixtures.

At Stadio Monigo, 5.30pm. local time (4.30pm UK & Ireland)
Live on Rai Sport & BBC Alba

Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU, 21st competition game)
Assistant Referees: Claudio Blessano, Gregorio Piran (both FIR)
Citing Commissioner: Stefano Marrama (FIR)
TMO: Stefano Penne (FIR)