Much-changed Leinster face tough Treviso test

LEINSTER’S much-vaunted strength in depth served them well earlier this season but it will be put to the test again in their RaboDirect Pro12 clash at the Stadio Comunale do Monigo against Benetton Treviso this afternoon.

Nine starters from last week’s Heineken Cup win against Glasgow have been replaced. Seven of them – Isa Nacewa, Rob Kearney, Jonathan Sexton, Heinke van der Merwe, Richardt Strauss, Leo Cullen and Sean O’Brien — have been given the weekend off.

In their place come a number of less familiar faces who held the fort in impressive fashion whilst some of those named above were away on World Cup duty. Also back is Fergus McFadden, who returns after an injury-enforced absence last Sunday.