Munster on guard against smugness

European Cup: It often smacks of insincerity and condescension. When sporting Goliaths are asked to consider a perceived mismatch, Davids always get a pretty decent press. So when Munster coach Alan Gaffney was quizzed on today's game against Benetton Treviso he was caught between a rock and a hard place.

The Irish province produced their best display for quite some time in thumping Gloucester at Thomond Park last week, and at Stadio Comunale di Monigo in Treviso today they face a team with but a passing interest in the Heineken European Cup.

Yet Gaffney's overview perfectly captures the essence of today's game. "We are under no illusions about the task ahead. That is not coach-speak. Treviso will throw everything at us and if we are not at out best then the work we did last week will be undone."

Treviso extended Gloucester for 50 minutes in the opening match of the competition and beat Bourgoin at home, albeit that the French team gave several young players an opportunity.

They are not patsies, an assertion they'll substantiate if Munster produce a below-par performance.

The home side may have little more than pride to play for but given their Latin temperament that will guarantee pretty stubborn resistance. Not that this a pure-bred Italian job; Treviso include former Ireland and Ulster full back and European Cup winner Simon Mason, Stuart Legg and South African playmaker and outhalf Franco Smith.

Mason was arguably one of the best place-kickers the sport has seen yet Legg has been handed the kicking duties. The absence of the Italian captain and scrumhalf Alessandro Troncon, injured in the corresponding fixture at Thomond Park, denies the team the leadership qualities and abrasiveness that would have stood to them in a game like this.

They have made seven changes to the team that scored three tries in defeat away to Bourgoin last week, making it a stronger outfit.

The major surprise is the fact that Italian international second row Carlo Checchinato is only named on the bench.

There was so much to admire about Munster's performance last week, especially up front, from the cavalier dash of two-try Marcus Horan to the intelligent and altogether more low-key skills of Anthony Foley.

John Hayes had his best match of recent vintage, Frankie Sheahan was feted with the Heineken tankard, and Donncha O'Callaghan managed to shade his second-row partner Paul O'Connell, a huge achievement.

Sheahan, though, will play no part today, a knee injury prompting his withdrawal yesterday afternoon. James Blaney is promoted to the starting XV, with Shannon's Frankie Roche coming on to the bench.

It'll be interesting to see if Munster's lineout remains as assured as last week. Two first-choice players lighter in the front row may also even up the tight exchanges a little.

In an Ireland context it was heartening to see David Wallace finally break free from the legacy of injury. He looked sharp and powerful, reinforcing his prowess as a ball carrier and defending wholeheartedly.

Captain Jim Williams's contribution was modest by his standards, an accusation that probably hasn't been levelled at the Australian before last week's match. He has been his team's outstanding forward this season and there is little doubt he'll reinforce that in Italy today.

Gaffney will demand that his team retain focus and appetite. Munster will have to win this match and not rely on apathy from the home side. In the early stages it'll be about putting in the foundations, dominating possession, using it intelligently and not trying to score every time they have the ball.

The pack should be capable of providing the platform and then Munster will be looking for halfbacks Peter Stringer and Ronan O'Gara to control the game. This performance is about being professional.

Munster cannot qualify this weekend but what they can do is continue to apply the pressure to their main rivals for top spot in Pool Five, Gloucester.

The mathematics are straightforward: Munster need to win and in the process earn a bonus point. There is no doubting their ability to accomplish that feat.

The weather in Venice and Treviso is extremely cold, and a moderate snowfall blanketed the pavements yesterday; more snow is forecast for today as temperatures are expected to nudge minus three degrees.

Despite the chilly weather the advance party of Munster supporters had arrived, confidently expecting that the latest leg of their European odyssey may be a little less spectacular than last week but no less important.

BENETTON TREVISO: S Mason; S Legg, W Pozzebon, M Dallan, B Williams; F Smith (capt), S Picone; G Faliva, F Ongaro, S Costanzo, A Gritti, S Dellape, E Pavanello, S Parisse, S Palmer. Replacements: F Sbaraglini, R Martinez, C Checchinato, J Erasmus, S Orlando, P Travagli, T Visentin.

MUNSTER: S Payne; J Kelly, M Mullins, R Henderson, A Horgan; R O'Gara, P Stringer; G McIlwham, J Blaney, J Hayes, D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell, J Williams (capt), A Foley, D Wallace. Replacements: F Roche, S Kerr, D Pusey, S Keogh, E Reddan, J Holland, J Staunton.

Referee: J Dume (France).

Previous meetings: None.

Formguide: Treviso - lost to Gloucester 12-33 (h); lost to Munster 51-0 (a); beat Bourgoin 43-32 (h); lost to Bourgoin 35-19 (a). Munster - beat Bourgoin 18-17 (a); beat Treviso 51-0 (h); lost to Gloucester 22-11 (a); beat Gloucester 35-14 (h).

Leading scorers: Treviso - Stuart Legg 29. Munster - Ronan O'Gara 50.

Leading try scorers: Treviso - Brendan Williams, Gonzalo Canale 2 each. Munster - Anthony Foley, Marcus Horan, Jason Holland 2 each.

Betting (odds courtesy of Paddy Powers): Handicap (Treviso + 20 points) Treviso 5/6, Munster 5/6, draw 16/1.

Forecast: Munster to win.

Benetton Treviso v Munster

Stadio Comunale di Monigo, Today, 1.30, Irish time