It’s Italian derby day once again this weekend in another Guinness PRO14 festive cracker, as Zebre travel to Benetton Rugby bidding to enact revenge after their narrow Round 8 defeat in Parma.

Michael Bradley’s side have just one win from their last nine meetings with their Italian rivals, a miserable record they will be eager to put right as they make the 160-mile trip north-east this weekend.

And Kieran Crowley’s Benetton are looking to claim their third successive Guinness PRO14 victory for the first time since March, ending an inconsistent run in front of an inevitably raucous home crowd.

So, with bragging rights once again up for grabs in Treviso, what better way to whet the appetite than analyse two Italian stallions who will be going head to head?

Key battle

The contests all over the park look intriguing, but it’s the battle between two imposing forwards that’s the real eye-catcher ahead of this weekend’s fireworks.

The men in question are back-rowers Seb Negri and and Johan Meyer, a formidable duo who will be preparing to lock horns again in Round 9.

The pair enjoyed a bruising tussle in Parma last weekend, with Negri departing with the bragging rights after his colossal 22 tackles in the contest.

The No. 6 also made 11 metres for his team in his solitary carry of the match, prioritising defensive solidity as he and his Benetton teammates continually thwarted Zebre attacks.

And Negri’s impressive statistics are bolstered by his considerable experience, possessing 22 caps for Italy since making his debut against the USA in 2016.

The 25-year-old started 15 of those Azzurri contests, dotting down once while also playing nine matches in the Guinness Six Nations.

And his loyalty to Benetton is equally commendable, joining the club from Hartpury and signing a two-year contract at the beginning of the 2017-18 season.

But compatriot Meyer will be hoping to build on his impressive 13 carries and four tackles in Round 8 to help Zebre pick up just their second Guinness PRO14 victory of the season.

But he will be hoping what he’s failed to do in Italy colours, he can accomplish for Zebre this weekend, helping Bradley’s side seize the regional bragging rights for the first time since April 2018.

The South African-born forward has been a regular for Zebre since making the switch from Super Rugby in 2015, calling an end on his time at Sharks to explore pastures new in Europe.

As both sides prepare to duke it out in a replay of the hard-fought Round 8 encounter, keep your eyes firmly peeled for both Negri and Meyer as they go toe-to-toe under the Treviso lights.