Leinster back row Rhys Ruddock insists he and his teammates are itching to get back to competitive action ahead of their visit to Treviso in the RaboDirect PRO12.

All the sides in the league have been enjoying a two-week break during the autumn internationals.

Leinster have won their last four matches in all tournaments, and have been victorious in their last eleven fixtures against Italian opponents.

Treviso’s only victory in their eight previous clashes with Leinster in all competitions was 29-13 at Stadio Monigo in the PRO12 in September 2010.

But despite the break the reigning champions, who currently sit fourth in the table, are confident that there will be no rustiness when hostilities resume on Italian soil.

“[The break] was a little frustrating because you just want to keep playing,” said Ruddock.

“Definitely for a lot of us, we would have liked another game, but now looking at it, it's nice because we had a two-week break to prepare for what is a big game for us.

“What seemed a little frustrating at the start seems like a real positive heading into this game. Going away to play Treviso has always been a real tough fixture and this week will be no different.

“Though they are missing a few players on international duty, they've got a lot more strength in depth this season and although they've lost a couple of games they seem to be coming very close.

“We know what it's like to go over there and play. It's always a really tough fixture. We've always had very close battles over there."

Jimmy Gopperth will line up alongside John Cooney at half-back with ex-Gonzaga College SJ scrum-half Cooney set to make his 25th appearance in Leinster colours.

Noel Reid partners Brendan Macken at centre, with the experience of Australian international Lote Tuqiri joining St. Mary's College duo Darragh Fanning and Darren Hudson in the back three.

Up front, Ireland prop Michael Bent starts in a front row which includes Aaron Dundon – a try-scorer in the province's 23-19 victory away to the Dragons last time out – and Martin Moore who makes his 15th appearance for Leinster.

In the second row, Tom Denton partners Quinn Roux with Ruddock joining number eight Leo Auva'a and skip Shane Jennings in the back-row.

For Treviso meanwhile the back three consists of Brendan Williams, Ludovico Nitoglia and Angelo Esposito – Andrea Pratichetti and Christian Loamanu are the centres.

Mat Berquist will team up in the in the half-backs with Fabio Semenzato, his 50th Celtic league game.

In the forwards, the front line sees the return of Alberto De Marchi, together with Franco Sbaraglini and Ignacio Fernandez-Rouyet.

The second rows will be captain Corniel Van Zyl and Marco Fuser, while behind in the back row, along with Vosawai, there will be Marco Filippucci and Dean Budd.

The Italians have lost only one PRO12 games at Stadio Monigo in the last twelve months: 19-24 to Ospreys on 7th September. The Italian’s only defeat in their last six encounters with Irish provinces was 13-32 in Ulster in September.

At Stadio Monigo, 3pm local time (2pm Ireland & UK)
Referee: Neil Paterson (SRU, 56th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Elia Rizzo, Giorgio Sgardiolo (both FIR)
Citing Commissioner: Stefano Marrama (FIR)
TMO: Carlo Damasco (FIR)

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