The Lions of Treviso are starting to roar

The daily workload and the trust in new head coach Umberto Casellato's style of rugby have pushed the Italian Lions away from the misery of 2014.

Treviso have turned the corner and just a few weeks ago nobody would believe that could happen.

But critics have disappeared from Monigo stands, evaporated like smoke after a Zebre two-game sweep in the double derby and the last-gasp win against GUINNESS PRO12 leaders Ospreys in Europe.

In fact, what Treviso needed was just time and patience. I wrote it a few months ago in these pages and that was the entire Benetton dressing room's belief as well.

"We needed time," said Treviso captain Antonio Pavanello.

"Now morale has gone up and our self-belief too. The win against the Ospreys helped us a lot because it gave us evidence that we are heading in the right direction and that our work is paying dividends."

Against the Welsh side Benetton showed some much-needed improvements in the set piece, an area where Treviso struggled in the first part of the season.

"Definitely gaining some consistency at the scrum has been crucial for our recent run of form," admitted Pavanello.

"Last year every time we went down for a scrum we were being penalised with the consequence that we would concede points or at least we would be pushed back in our half. Now we are far less under pressure and that helps a lot our pace in attack."

But Treviso's season turned around against Zebre.

"Yes, those two wins gave us confidence because we were looking to grab at least one since the beginning of the season but we kept losing. Winning both the derbies helped a lot mentally," added the skipper.

Benetton have won two of their three home games since the New Year, only losing by a four-point margin against Ulster on January 11, and that speaks volumes for the importance of playing in front of your own fans in the GUINNESS PRO12.

"Well, you know, when you play at home you get that extra confidence that helps you compete against anyone in this league," said the 23-cap man.

"In the next nine game we will play five times in Monigo and that would be a great opportunity for us to grab some more wins and rise some positions in the standings."

Treviso will face Ulster again at the Kingspan Stadium next Friday, then they will fly back home to take on Cardiff Blues before moving to Galway to challenge Connacht.

Then Casellato's men will have to meet with Edinburgh and the Dragons in Stadio Monigo.

"We clearly can win some more games," said Pavanello. "Week after week we are clicking together more and more and that I am sure that will result in more tries."

Beware folks, the Lions are back.

By Enrico Borra

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