GUINNESS PRO12 Star: Brendon Leonard

But it has not all been straightforward for the former Waikato Chiefs scrum-half, who was left uncertain about his future in the game after a head-on collision back in 2010 saw him stretchered off the pitch in a neck brace.

After eight years with Waikato back in his native New Zealand and 13 All Blacks caps - including a World Cup quarter-final appearance in 2007 - Leonard landed in Italy in 2013.

And the 29-year-old's influence in the GUINNESS PRO12 cannot be underestimated, joining Zebre after their winless debut campaign in the competition.

Under his guidance the Italian outfit swiftly broke their PRO12 duck with a 30-25 victory away at Cardiff Blues in round three.

They went on to record five wins that season, Leonard grabbing three tries of his own in the process, and came within one points of finishing above long-established Italian rivals Benetton Treviso.

And if they are to go one better this time, Leonard will no doubt be at the heart of it all.

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