The Rugby Weekend festivities in Chicago—including the Italy-Ireland test match—remain over a week away, but this Saturday's Guinness PRO14 match between Leinster and Benetton provides an enticing preview for anyone seeking a sneak peek of the action to come. 

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Italy’s Connor O’Shea has named a side for Chicago, featuring eight Benetton starters, while Ireland’s Joe Schmidt has long used Leinster, and standout flyhalf Jonathan Sexton, as the core of his team. 

Leinster, which is coming off a devastating single point Heineken Cup loss to Toulouse, will look to avoid an upset at the Italian upstart’s home pitch. Benetton, though, does not figure to back down. 

Lancaster: "Some of the younger lads that played in the #CelticCup - which they won - they're fit, they're ready and they're hungry. It's their chance to step up." #BENvLEI pic.twitter.com/rdGBjAsp1t

— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) October 24, 2018

Through six rounds of Guinness PRO14 play, Philippe Sella’s Benetton squad has handily dispatched lesser opponents, but dropped close games to perennial powers, including a one-point loss to Edinburgh at BT Murrayfield that must linger in the team room. 

Still, they boast both forward pack as experienced as it is cohesive and a backline full of continental style and skill. Look for a free-flowing manner of play, with plenty of creative, attacking kicks. Benetton will not be playing scared. 

Leinster, with a wealth of experience in its own right, has been the class of the league over the past few years. The defending champions sit at the top of the table with 24 points, but several of their wins have been closer than coach Leo Cullen would like, particularly a 33-32 squeaker in Cardiff. Their only loss came by two points to the Scarlets, and their stingy defense has given up the fewest points in the Guinness PRO14. 

They are far from vulnerable, but count on a hungry Benetton squad to exploit whatever openings they can find.  

#AGEvBEN Gli highlights del 2º round di @ERChallengeCup terminato con la vittoria dei padroni di casa per 20 a 19 pic.twitter.com/FRYfeblr8C

— Benetton Rugby ? (@BenettonRugby) October 22, 2018

Count also on both squads to get familiar with one another before many of those same players share the pitch again in Chicago next weekend. Both Ireland and Italy have questions to answer in the Autumn International window, and major clues will be revealed on Saturday. 

Will Sexton stay healthy enough to pick up the slack for an injured Connor Murray? Will Leinster’s young Garry Ringrose maintain his polished and productive form? Will Josh van der Flier, taken off during the Toulouse loss, and Rob Kearney be healthy enough to play?

For the Italians, will O’Shea be forced to keep scheming new ways to trip up opponents, or are Italian forwards ready to match their opposite numbers? Four of Italy’s tight five, including lock Marco Fuser, will take the field against Leinster, and O’Shea will surely watch closely to see if they can handle the physicality of Devin Toner, Tadgh Furlong, and the Leinster pack. 

Included in the Benetton squad is Irish-born fly-half Ian McKinley, who has returned from early retirement and looks eager to clash with his former countrymen. He makes the trip stateside as well, and hopes seem high. After all, as New Zealand learned in 2016, anything can happen in Chicago.

Both teams have lofty goals for the Guinness PRO14 season and everything to play for. Watch Leinster take on Benetton this Saturday, and then see their respective national teams on American soil next weekend. 

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Written by Mike McDavid, Special to FloRugby