Leinster full-back Dave Kearney insists the recent familiarity amongst the current crop of players will pay dividends over the next four weeks, despite the list of international absentees.

With just eight RaboDirect PRO12 games remaining as the race for the play-offs heats up, Kearney realises the importance of the next month.

And the full-back believes the Irish region’s fringe players will only get better after continuing their impressive form in last weekend’s win over Cardiff.

Kearney was himself pleased to get a full game under his belt and sees this weekend’s tie against Trevisoas a must win considering the pressure being applied by sides around them.

“It was a great win at the weekend and it is really important for us as a squad to get the result we needed and it is very tight at the top of the table from one to six,” said Kearney.

“All the other teams bar Ulster got the win so that was vital. I haven’t really played that much so I was delighted to get 80 minutes under my belt.

“It’s so close and these games now coming up are the really important ones and you need the results and keep that spot in the top four because you want to be in the play-offs.

“I think it’s good for the guys who are in here at the moment who can get four or five games when guys are away and we know this is the group we will have over the next four weeks.

“You can’t really afford to have that much change and you can focus on who you are playing with which is important.”

Leinster have won their last five matches in all competitions, their latest triumph coming away to Cardiff Blues 26-11, whereas Treviso suffered a 23-14 defeat in Wales to Newport Gwent Dragons.

But Kearney insists the ever-improving Italians will be no pushovers, citing their first-half display against the Dragons as a sign of what they are capable of.

“Since they [ Treviso] came into the competition they are improved year by year and their strength and depth of the squad is getting better,” he added.

“They have a great coaching team and they were unlucky to lose to Dragons last weekend considering they were up at half time.”

Leinster welcome back Ireland internationals Sean Cronin and Eoin Reddan, who will make his 78th Leinster appearance, in a side that boasts 12 graduates of the club’s academy.

Treviso are preparing to play their third successive away game in the RaboDirect PRO12, but haven’t won in Ireland since a visit to Connacht on 2 December 2011.

In fact their only previous victory against Leinster was a 29-13 victory at Stadio Monigo on 18 September 2010.

But hoping to make a difference will be Tommaso Iannone, Michele Rizzo and Manoa Vosawai who are all recalled to the starting line-up.

There is also a new half-back pairing of Fabio Semenzato and James Ambrosini starting for the second time at no.10 since facing Leicester Tigers in the Heineken Cup back in December.

At RDS Dublin , 5pm.
Referee: Leighton Hodges (WRU, 25th competition game)
Assistant Referees: David Wilkinson, B O’Connell (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Gordon Black (IRFU)