It may have been a day of drama and calculators across most of the Guinness PRO12, but Leinster strolled to the most straightforward and expected of victories against a mostly awful Treviso side at the RDS this afternoon.

Connacht need only one point from this evening’s PRO12 fixture in Italy to guarantee a semi-final spot. But coach Pat Lam will want more, such is the expectation on Connacht to deliver a bonus-point winning performance.

France’s Sevens sensation Virimi Vakatawa will make his Test debut in tomorrow’s Six Nations opener against Italy in Paris.

Guinness Pro12

“Business as usual” was the message yesterday as Matt O’Connor and Jamie Heaslip discussed Leinster’s Guinness PRO12 meeting with Benetton Treviso tonight, but the reality is that no-one can recall when the balance sheet looked so grim.

Munster 30 Treviso 19: Five points in the bag courtesy of Saturday’s victory over Treviso and Munster are sitting exactly where they want to be in the top two of the Guinness Pro 12 and within touching distance of a home semi-final.

Munster got the bonus-point win required to keep their Guinness Pro 12 challenge running, but it was not quite achieved with the satisfaction they might have wanted at Musgrave Park this afternoon.

Guinness Pro 12

Treviso 20 Ulster 24: This was one of the most astonishing games in the league for a long time.

Ireland’s Jared Payne returns to a strong Ulster’s match-day squad for tomorrow’s difficult Pro12 trip to Treviso.

Guinness Pro12: Treviso 24 Leinster 24

Jordi Murphy and Dave Kearney make their first starts of the season in Leinster’s Guinness Pro12 clash away to Benetton Treviso at Stadio Monigo tomorrow (2.30pm).

Treviso 6 Connacht 9

Connacht’s seasonal ambitions could well come down to games such as this evening’s in Italy at Stadio Monigo (7pm, Irish time).

GUINNESS PRO12:

Munster head coach Anthony Foley is demanding his players step up to the plate at the Stadio Monigo tonight (7pm Irish time) and beat Benetton Treviso, despite losing lock Paul O’Connell on the eve of the game.

RABO DIRECT PRO12:

Connacht 38 Treviso 6

There was obviously a good reason for this RaboDirect Pro12 game to be handed the same kick-off slot as Ireland-New Zealand tomorrow but, for the life of us, it is impossible to think of one.

Treviso 23 Connacht 3

RABO DIRECT PRO12

RABO DIRECT PRO12:

RABODIRECT PRO 12:

Leinster 40 Treviso 5

Treviso 15 Ulster 16

Connacht 18 Benetton Treviso 3

Former Stormer Danie Poolman makes a timely first start for Connacht against Italian visitors Benetton Treviso at the Galway Sportsground today (5pm).