benetton vs leinster takes centre stage in Treviso on Saturday at 7. 45 pm ET, with Leinster aiming to keep their momentum rolling before next week’s Champions Cup semi-final against Toulon. Caelan Doris is back from concussion to captain the side, while Josh van der Flier is named to start after being rated doubtful earlier in the week. Leinster have made 13 changes for the trip as they look to stay in the hunt for the URC top two.
Benetton Vs Leinster: major changes, high stakes
Leinster head to Treviso with a much-changed side after their win over Ulster, and the selection underlines the balancing act facing Leo Cullen and Jacques Nienaber. The province want another result that could move them back into the top two, which matters for home advantage in the playoffs.
They are currently level on 51 points with the Stormers and four behind Glasgow Warriors. Glasgow and the Stormers meet in Cape Town on Saturday, so a Leinster win would at least keep pressure on the teams above them.
There is also a clear eye on next week’s Champions Cup semi-final, and that is reflected in the team sheet. Hugo Keenan, Garry Ringrose and Robbie Henshaw all have the night off, while Andrew Porter is left out after being assessed during the week.
In the pack, Ed Byrne makes his first start since returning to the province last week, with Jerry Cahir on the bench as loosehead cover. Jack Conan also starts, and several recent contract signings are included among the replacements, including Gus McCarthy, Thomas Clarkson and Alex Soroka.
Benetton Vs Leinster team news and returning players
For Leinster, the headline is the return of Doris, who captains the side after concussion. Van der Flier’s inclusion is another boost after he had been considered doubtful earlier in the week. Harry Byrne starts at outhalf and Conor Tighearnaigh is named in the starting XV after signing a new contract, with both players given a chance in a rotated lineup.
Benetton also make changes, with Tommasso Menoncello, Ignacio Mendy and Paolo Odogwu back in the backline. Five changes are made to the pack, including a complete front row switch, while Sebastian Negri makes way for Manuel Zuliani in the back row.
Leinster’s recent showing in Belfast offered encouraging signs. They controlled Ulster for long stretches with defensive line speed and strong finishing on the front foot, though a late response from Ulster showed there is still more to do before the big knockout tests ahead.
What the Benetton Vs Leinster match means next
This game is about points, rhythm and readiness all at once. A fifth win in succession would keep Leinster firmly in the race for the top two, while also giving Cullen another look at a squad built to handle the demands of two major competitions.
Benetton are out of contention for the top eight, but they return home with enough changes and enough incentive to make this a sharp test for Leinster. With Doris back, van der Flier starting and several senior names rested, benetton vs leinster now looks less like a routine league assignment and more like a crucial checkpoint on Leinster’s run-in.
