Leinster in need of a statement of intent

Leinster v Benetton Treviso: Benetton Treviso should have earned the respect of European rugby given their performances in this season's Heineken European Cup. Twice they thumped Bourgoin, victories slightly tarnished by the French club's tepid attitude to the tournament, but the Italian side also scalped Bath at home.

Any apathy on Leinster's part today and they'll be susceptible to a very public chastisement.

Declan Kidney will be determined that won't happen. The Leinster coach will accentuate the positive aspects of Treviso's contribution to this season's competition and remind his players of the last encounter between the sides at Stadio Comunale di Monigo, when the visitors were flattered by a 25-9 win, upgraded by an injury-time try.

What Treviso have brought to this season's European Cup, apart from the integrity of their challenge, is a style of play that is both entertaining and effective. They haven't been paralysed by the fear of errors and so pursued a touchline-to-touchline approach, neatly fused with a powerful impetus up front.

Full back Brendan Williams may be diminutive in stature but not in his contribution, his elusive running a constant threat that Leinster never quite harnessed in the first match. South African centre Marius Goosen has been a very effective place-kicker while the half-back combination of Franco Smith and Alessandro Troncon provides experienced direction.

The pack as a unit know the value of the shortest route between two points while the second rows - the South African-born pair of Gerhard Klerck, who plays for the USA, and Marco Wentzel - nicked seven of Leinster's throws the last day. There are seven internationals up front including a triumvirate in an athletic back row.

The Italians will have studied the video of Leinster's shortcomings the last day against Bath. The lineout was a source of great concern for the Irish province. It's reasonable to assume that a great deal of time will have been set aside at training this week to redress that problem.

Victor Costello carried a great deal of ball in midfield at the Recreation Ground but much of it was from an ambling start. While he ran straight, there wasn't enough momentum and Leinster need to be more refined in maximising his impact.

Kidney's decision to retain the pack en bloc should galvanise this unit to respond emphatically to their detractors. In Italy they caused Treviso problems in the scrum and will be looking to repeat that disruption. They'll want to establish an effective driving maul and release Costello and Eric Miller into areas where they'll cause most mayhem.

Shane Jennings had arguably his best game on the deck for Leinster last week and but for the inconsistencies of referee Joel Jutge's interpretation would have had an even bigger influence.

Reduced to virtual bystanders last week, the Leinster back line still demonstrated the wherewithal to prise open defences, the strong running of Shane Horgan particularly conspicuous.

Outhalf David Holwell was a central figure once again. Consistently excellent, he demonstrates an intuitive feel for mixing up the game; distributing intelligently and punting sensibly when required. As Kidney observed in reference to his outhalf: "It is not necessarily what he does but what he allows others to do."

Gordon D'Arcy won't have been happy with his contribution against Bath - unusually hesitant and unsure - and, in tandem with Brian O'Driscoll, needs to enjoy a more central influence.

The home side will be conscious that Bath gave Treviso a bit of a hiding when they travelled to the Recreation Ground. Leinster need to offer a statement of intent this evening as far as this tournament is concerned.

The Irish province need to win to guarantee a home quarter-final. How they achieve that goal will have a significant bearing on the respect they command when the competition resumes in April.

LEINSTER: G Dempsey; S Horgan, B O'Driscoll, G D'Arcy, D Hickie; D Holwell, G Easterby; R Corrigan (capt), S Byrne, E Byrne; L Cullen, M O'Kelly; E Miller, V Costello, S Jennings. Replacements: R Nebbett, D Blaney, C Potts, A McCullen, B O'Meara, F Contepomi, K Lewis.

BENETTON TREVISO: B Williams; T Visentin, W Pozzebon, M Goosen, S Legg; F Smith, A Troncon (capt); G Faliva, F Ongaro, S Costanzo; G Klerck, M Wentzel; S Orlando, S Parisse, E Pavenello. Replacements: A Tejeda, F Sbaraglini, A Gritti, S Palmer, D Dal Maso, S Garozzo, A Sartoretto.

Referee: E Darriere (France).

EC Formguide (2004-'05): Leinster - bt Treviso (a) 25-9; bt Bath (h) 30-11; bt Bourgoin (h) 92-17; bt Bourgoin (a) 26-23; bt Bath (a) 27-23. Treviso - lost to Leinster (h) 25-9; bt Bourgoin (a) 34-0; bt Bath (h) 29-23; lost to Bath (a) 47-7; bt Bourgoin (h) 40-29.

Previous meetings (EC 2004-'05): Benetton Treviso 9 Leinster 25.

Leading points scorers (EC 2004-'05): Leinster - David Holwell 84. Treviso - Marius Goosen 62.

Leading try scorers (EC 2004-'05): Leinster - Shane Horgan 4. Treviso - Denis Dallan 3.

Verdict: Leinster.