Leicester v Treviso, Heineken Cup, January 23
Tigers gunning for last eight
ESPNscrum Staff
January 21, 2011
Leicester scrum-half Ben Youngs celebrates his try, Scarlets v Leicester Tigers, Heineken Cup, Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli, Wales, January 15, 2011
Scrum-half Ben Youngs scored a vital try against the Scarlets © Getty Images
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Leicester Tigers have one hurdle left to clear in the race for the Heineken Cup quarter-finals and will be on guard against a tough Treviso side at Welford Road this weekend.

Following last weekend's 32-18 victory over the Scarlets in Llanelli the Tigers are tied with Perpignan at the top of Pool 5 on 17 points, leaving them with a simple equation this weekend - win or bust.

Perpignan are facing a tough task against the Scarlets at the Aime Giral and while victories would likely see both sides through, Leicester will be gunning for top spot. But they will be wary of their visitors having needed a late try from winger Alesana Tuilagi to settle their clash in Treviso earlier this season.

Leicester - Player to Watch: Scrum-half Ben Youngs was the catalyst behind much of Leicester's good work last weekend and he will need to set the tone once again against their Italian rivals.

Leicester - Team News: The only change in the line-up sees Dan Cole selected to start at tight-head prop, with Martin Castrogiovanni named among the replacements. With Geordan Murphy ruled out by an ankle injury, Louis Deacon captains the team in his 200th start for the club.

Treviso - Player to Watch: Australian-born fly-half Kris Burton returned to the Italy squad this week and his performance is set to be scrutinised by national coach Nick Mallett.

Treviso - Team News: Joe Maddock comes in on the left wing while Burton and Fabio Semenzato form a new halfback pairing. Loose-head Michele Rizzo, hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini and tight-head Lorenzo Cittadini are promoted to the starting line-up as is lock Corniel van Zyl. Benjamin Vermaark switches to blindside to make room for openside Valerio Bernabò.

Key Battle: The Tigers' front row forwards have been in game-breaking form this season and Treviso's only hope is to fight fire with fire at scrum time.

Trivia: Leicester have never lost to Italian opposition in Europe - although they were made to rely on a last-gasp try to win 34-29 against Treviso in round one.

Stats: Treviso have shipped more points (186) than any other side in this year's tournament.

Quote Unquote:

"We needed to win last week to retain any chance of qualifying and it was a good team performance at the Scarlets. The team showed great resolve and resilience to win that game under some pressure. Now we have to win again." - Tigers boss Richard Cockerill throws down the gauntlet to his side

"I was interested in the job and initially considered applying. But I have a contract that has to be honoured and that is exactly what I will do," he said from Italy on Tuesday." - Treviso coach Franco Smith plays down a rumoured return to his native South Africa with the Griquas.

Prediction: Leicester are building up an impressive head of steam and with a 10th quarter-final appearance in their sights they are sure to power past their Italian visitors.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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