**Dan McFarland has had just 20 days to lick the wounds from his team’s Guinness PRO14 Grand Final defeat but the Ulster boss will be champing at the bit to get back to winning ways against Benetton in this season’s opener.** Ulster lost 27-5 against Leinster in Dublin but the rapid turnaround provides McFarland’s men with a golden opportunity to restore momentum, as Kieran Crowley’s Treviso outfit visit the Kingspan Stadium. The Italians finished fifth in Conference B last season and are acutely aware they face a stern task in Northern Ireland, hoping that their eight new signings can fire them to a memorable opening round glory. Crowley has overseen a considerable squad shake up and with 600 supporters set to attend the fixture, the stage is set for a pulsating early duel under the Kingspan lights. **What’s at stake?** Benetton know they enter the clash as underdogs but have the chance to send out an early statement of intent, as they hope to improve on their slow start in Championship action last season.
