Howlett braced for physical Italian front

Benetton Treviso head coach Franco Smith sprang a selection surprise last night when he made eight changes to a winning side ahead of their RaboDirect Pro12 game against Munster at Thomond Park tonight (8pm).

Just as Rob Penney got his tenure as Munster head coach up and running with an opening win in Edinburgh last Saturday, the Italians got their league campaign off to a flying start last weekend with a home defeat of reigning champions Ospreys.

Having watched that bruising 12-6 win over the Welsh region, Penney and his players had been girding themselves for an ultra physical challenge in Limerick tonight against a seasoned pack full of Italian internationals.