Monday Round-Up

Leinster held by Treviso: Irish outfit Leinster were held to a 24 points a piece draw away at Benetton Treviso, in yesterday’s Guinness Pro12 action. Despite travelling to the Italian town shorn of a whole host of players away on international duty, head coach Matt O’Connor could still call on the likes of Richardt Strauss, Dave Kearney, Jimmy Gopperth and Zane Kirchner amongst others. Add to this the fact that Treviso haven’t won a game since April and when Darrragh Fanning opened the scoring early on, it looked as if it might be one way traffic for the entire 80. However, it was the hosts who impressed from then on in, holding the lead until the very latter stages of the clash, courtesy of four tries, including one for flanker Dean Budd. After the hosts had got themselves back level late on, thanks to hooker Davide Giazzon’s five pointer, they were relieved to see flyhalf Jimmy Gopperth’s attempted drop goal drift wide of the posts, handing a draw to both sides. Leinster’s struggle to maintain any genuine form so far this season continues, while the draw for Treviso may well represent the kick start to their campaign they need.

Senatla swaps: Flying winger Seabelo Senatla has been released from South Africa’s touring squad and will return home on Sunday. According to reports emanating out of South African media outlets, Senatla’s withdrawal from the Springboks came at the request of the South African Sevens outfit, as they gear up for a string of tournaments in the HSBS Sevens World Series. Having been brought on Heyneke Meyer’s end of season tour in order to learn more about the 15 a side code of the game and improve his basic skills, Senatla was quick to express his gratitude for Meyer’s selection and his fellow players in training. Senatla will now return home for a training camp with the Blitzbokke ahead of World Series legs in Dubai and Port Elizabeth.

Ryan Sheady