BLUES TO FACE VIADANA
In the semi-finals of the Italian Super 10, Ghial Calvisano ousted Viadana and Benetton Treviso beat Amatori Catania to both win automatic Heineken Cup spots. Viadana finished second at the end of the League season to Catania’s fourth, meaning they get the play-off chance.
The winners of the Blues-Viadana match will claim the 24th and final Cup spot.
Players the Blues need to watch out include New Zealand-born fly-half Daryl Lilley, who got his team’s only try against Calvisano, and centre Andrea Masi who played against Wales in this year’s RBS 6 Nations.
Viadana is in the north of Italy, neighbouring the city of Parma. The rugby club was established in 1970 and their honours include one Italian League title (2002) and two Italian cup wins (2000, 2003). They have played in the Heineken Cup once before (2002/03), but failed to qualify from their pool. Viadana also reached the European Shield final in 2004, where they lost to Montpellier.
