The Guinness PRO14 action is coming thick and fast with the 2020/21 season now firmly in full swing, and Round 8 promises another bout of thrills and spills as each of the 12 contesting teams look to strengthen their Conference standing.
Dragons return to the field having not played a game since November 1, and Dean Ryan’s men will be itching to get their second victory of the campaign away at the so-far winless Benetton.
Triple-defending champions Leinster are yet to drop a point and are aiming to become the first Championship side ever to achieve eight successive maximum-point victories, as they travel to 2016/17 champions Scarlets.
Elsewhere, fellow Irish side's Ulster and Munster can extend their own unbeaten starts, away at 2019/20 semi-finalists Edinburgh and at home to Zebre respectively.
Match Preview:
Benetton v Dragons - Stadio Comunale di Monigo, Treviso | KO 16:00 UK, 17:00 ITA | Live on Free Sports, DAZN, pro14.tv
Benetton are the only team left in the Guinness PRO14 without a win to their name this season but can take plenty of heart from their last-gasp defeat at the hands of Ospreys last time out, which featured a hat-trick for hooker Hame Faiva.
The Italians will be hoping their next opponents Dragons will be suitably rusty in their first match for four weeks due to Covid-19, as they bid to add to their two bonus points and start climbing the Conference B table.
The Welshmen will be looking to kick-start their campaign which features just one win from their four matches so far, coming against Benetton’s fellow countrymen Zebre 26-18 in Round 2.
That success represents their only victory in all competitions since February, while the Stadio Monigo is historically a less favourable destination for the Newport-based side, having won there just once before, in 2015.
Officials:
Referee: Sean Gallagher (IRFU, 21st competition game); Assistant Referees: Manuel Bottino, Clara Munarini (both FIR); TMO: Alan Falzone (FIR)
Overall Guinness PRO14 head to head record:
Played 19 Benetton won 12, Dragons won 7
Did you know?
- Benetton have lost all five matches they have played in the Guinness PRO14 this season but have at least gained two losing bonus points, at home to Scarlets in Round 3 and at Ospreys last weekend.
- Benetton have won just two of their last nine fixtures against Welsh regions, but both of those were against today’s opponents, Dragons.
- Dragons have not played a game since their 16-28 defeat at home to Munster on 1 November.
- The Welshmen have won just once in any tournament since February; 26-18 at home to Zebre in Round 2 of the Championship.
- Benetton have won their last five fixtures against Dragons, whilst the Welshman’s only previous success at Stadio Monigo in the Guinness PRO14 was 32-17 in March 2015.
