Leinster survive early setbacks

Benetton Treviso 9, Leinster 25

Both Gloucester and Munster struggled for a good 60 minutes in the picturesque Italian town last year before bounding free for victory and on Saturday Leinster went through the same process.

In the first 12 minutes the home side should have crossed the line twice. The first Treviso foray was inspired by their excellent centre Marius Goosen, who popped up in the move on two separate occasions before releasing the onrushing hooker Ongaro for the line. He was halted by aggressive Leinster defence and, with the home side taking some bad options at the breakdown, the danger passed.