Seven days after their thrilling encounter, Zebre and Benetton do it all again this time in Parma on Saturday, December 30. It was Benetton who prevailed last time thanks to a Angelo Esposito double but it could be a very different story at the at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi. What’s at stake? Home side Zebre currently sit sixth in Conference A with three wins from their 11 matches, four points clear of bottom side Ospreys. Zebre were impressive in their victory over Connacht at the start of the month but continued their poor away form against Benetton last time out. Benetton meanwhile will be buoyed from their thrilling victory over their Italian rivals last time out, a result which put them six points clear of Dragons and leaves them fifth in Conference B. Team news (Zebre): Argentine prop Eduardo Bello steps in to start in the Italian derby for the first time as Zebre make two changes from the 27-14 at Benetton. Derick Minnie is the only other change as Zebre head into the match without Johan Meyer after he was sent off seven days ago. He will line up alongside Maxime Mbandà and Renato Giammarioli in the back row. Team news (Benetton): The loss of Angelo Esposito to injury is a huge blow for Benetton after he suffered a sprained knee in the previous encounter. Ignacio Brex has not trained with the team during the week due to a virus and hooker Tomas Baravalle suffered a blow to the head in the final minutes of the first half. Talking points: Benetton’s Kieran Crowley said: “Last week, despite some mistakes, we conducted a good match. “Surely tomorrow we expect a different game, Zebre will want to win but we are ready to face them. As happened in the last match, we will have to be good at exploiting all the opportunities we will have.” Key battle: Luca Sperandio v Giulio Bisegni In the absence of the free-scoring Angelo Esposito, this match could be won or lost on how Luca Sperandio fills the void left by the winger. Esposito dotted down twice a week ago to take the game away from Zebre but his replacement is yet to find the try line in eight appearances this campaign. Guilio Bisegni has been a shining light for Zebre this season and crossed the whitewash in the 27-14 defeat last week. The winger, who is also capable of lining up in the centres, has been a constant threat all season and if he’s on top form in Parma, the Italian international will take some stopping. Key stat: Zebre’s two victories at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi this season in the Guinness PRO14 were against Irish provinces: Ulster in round 5 and Connacht in round 10. Did you know? Benetton’s only away win this season was over Edinburgh Rugby at Myreside in round 3. Zebre: Matteo Minozzi, Giulio Bisegni, Tommaso Boni, Tommaso Castello (c), Mattia Bellini, Carlo Canna, Marcello Violi, Andrea Lovotti, Oliviero Fabiani, Eduardo Bello, David Sisi, George Biagi, Maxime Mbandà, Derick Minnie, Renato Giammarioli Replacements: Tommaso D’Apice, Andrea De Marchi, Roberto Tenga, Valerio Bernabò, Jacopo Sarto, Guglielmo Palazzani, Serafin Bordoli, Ciaran Gaffney Benetton: Jayden Hayward, Luca Sperandio, Tommaso Benvenuti, Alberto Sgarbi, Monty Ioane, Marty Banks, Tito Tebaldi, Nicola Quaglio, Luca Bigi, Tiziano Pasquali, Marco Lazzaroni, Dean Budd (c), Whetu Douglas, Abraham Steyn, Robert Barbieri Replacements: Hame Faiva, Federico Zani, Cherif Traore, Federico Ruzza, Marco Barbini, Edoardo Gori, Ian McKinley, Luca Morisi Match officials – Referee: David Wilkinson, AR1: Mark Patton, AR2: John Erskine, TMO: Brian MacNeice TV: Eurosport Italia 2 (KO – 3pm) Guinness PRO14 Final 2018 Ticket Information: Fans can save up to 20% on selected tickets, and prices start at just €30 for adults and €5 for children, and can be booked via www.ticketmaster.ie
