Leinster coach Leo Cullen has warned of an Italian renaissance ahead of Trevisio's visit to the RDS on Friday night (7.35pm).
Former All Black Kieran Crowley has taken the reins at the Pro12 strugglers, who finished rock bottom last season in a trying campaign.
The hosts, beaten in the Murrayfield decider by Connacht last May, are expected to hit the ground running in Dublin, but Cullen is braced for a much sterner examination than the 50-19 stroll his team enjoyed in this fixture last campaign.
“He’s been able to add to the squad, he has a lot of experience in the game," Cullen said of Crowley.
"Treviso looked like they were making really good progress a few seasons ago. They’ve fallen back a little bit, but I think someone like that is a really good signing for them to be able to take the club forward."
With former Ireland international Conor O'Shea at the helm of the national side, Italian rugby has been given a real shot in the arm.
O'Shea has aired his intention to build the best Azzurri side there's ever been and will spend one day per week with each of the Pro12 clubs - Treviso and Zebre - to help hasten their development.
Cullen believes it's a winning recipe. "With Conor O’Shea and the knowledge he would have coming in he'll try to influence the way the two teams play the game.
"The Italians are going to be a much stronger proposition."
