In-form Leeds Tykes head to Italy to take on Petrarca Padova in the first leg of Round 1 of the Parker Pen Challenge Cup and coach Jon Callard is expecting their Italian job to be a tough test.

Callard, in harness with Welshman Phil Davies, the Leeds Director of Rugby, has seen the high-flying Tykes soar to second on the Zurich Premiership table after their 25-13 win over Bristol at the weekend.

But while Callard admits to being delighted at his team's position, he is not as pleased with everything that is happening on the pitch.

"If you look at all the work and effort the players have put in this season, they thoroughly deserve to be where they are on the table, but we still need to work on our consistency," said Callard, Bath's match-winner with all their 19 points in the Heineken Cup final victory over Brive in 1998.

"We're great for 40 minutes, then seem to go off the boil. We're sitting on a pretty lofty perch at the moment, but it's a bit precarious.

"We're expecting a tough trip to Padova - Italian rugby is definitely on the up. I'll probably give some players a rest because we're carrying quite a few bumps and bruises."

If Leeds get past Padova, they could face in-form Welsh side Pontypridd in the next round, providing Pontypridd can see off Rugby Roma over the two legs.

"Pontypridd are playing very well," Callard said. "Sonny Parker is a key player in the centre and they've got the best forward pack going around. But we have to get over the first hurdle first - there are quite a few bits and pieces we have to work on."

With fullback Danny Scarbrough in top try-scoring form, hooker Mark Regan making a bid for an England recall and veteran Springbok fly-half Braam van Straaten kicking goals from both sides of halfway, the Tykes look a dangerous entry in the Parker Pen Challenge Cup.

"Braam's not bad, is he?" Callard said.
"He has to be one of the best goal-kickers in international rugby, if not the best. I'd love to see a kick-off between him, Jonny Wilkinson and Neil Jenkins. That would really be something."