Webb clinches bonus-point win

Ospreys scored three tries in the final 15 minutes, to grab an unlikely bonus-point 33-13 win at Stadio Monigo.

The late rally came after Treviso had made life difficult for the Pro12 title chasers.

Eli Walker, back in the team after injury trouble, notched in the first half that otherwise saw only Dan Biggar and Jayden Hayward exchange penalties.

Yellow cards for Nicky Smith and Rhys Webb after the break gave Treviso a way back in and Simone Ragusi's try, plus a further three-pointer for Hayward, had Ospreys on the ropes.

But they recovered as Dan Evans worked his way over and Biggar hit another penalty 10 minutes from time before the away side finished with a flourish.

Justin Tipuric dove over in the 78th minute and Webb soon followed to clinch what could be a vital bonus point when the regular season is done.

Ospreys head coach Steve Tandy made full use of his returning Wales stars as the likes of Biggar, Webb, Alun Wyn Jones and Dan Lydiate were all named in the starting XV.

They were the type of reinforcements the Welsh region needed, having failed to win on the road in the Pro12 since a tense 15-14 victory over Zebre in October.

Treviso had also beaten the Ospreys at the Stadio Monigo back in January and started the brighter, lock Marco Fuser making his presence felt in attack and defence.

But it didn't take long for the visitors to find a rhythm and, after quick hands between Justin Tipuric and Webb, Biggar knocked over three points due to a Treviso infringement in the ruck.

On 10 minutes Biggar opened up a pocket of space and prop Ryan Bevington showed a turn of pace before combining well with Scott Baldwin, but was hauled down just before the tryline.

Having given up the penalty, Treviso's scrum – proving their best weapon so far in the game – turned the ball over.

Midway through the half the hosts' backs were showing signs of life, as Jayden Hayward made a half-break before Tipuric was pinged at the breakdown.

Hayward levelled the scores from the tee and Treviso proceeded to do a fine job of blunting the Ospreys' attack, Matteo Pratichetti in particular winning a key turnover over a ruck.

However the home side were beginning to rack up the penalties and in the 27th minute received a double blow – Enrico Bacchin being sent to the sin-bin and Biggar slotting the ensuing penalty.

They could not make good on their man advantage but just before half time, Tandy's troops finally relieved some pressure.

This time their scrum held and Biggar made full advantage of an overlap to play through Walker – back from injury after 11 weeks on the sideline – who waltzed his way to a fine finish.

Treviso started the first half with vigour and Smith – a recent arrival onto the pitch – lasted 90 seconds before earning a yellow card among Ospreys' ailing scrum.

No.8 Matthew Luamanu's thunderous carry edged set them up in a promising position and after patiently cycling through the phases got their rewards.

The ball was spread from right and a lovely miss-pass by Sam Christie reached the hands of replacement Ragusi, who squeezed through in the corner to touch down.

There was now just one point in it and the Ospreys found themselves under more pressure from the restart after Webb's high tackle earned him a stretch in the sin bin.

Hayward bisected the posts to put the home side in front for the first time – but the Ospreys wouldn't be right in the mix for the Pro12 if they weren't capable of some grit too.

Moments after Biggar missed a penalty, star man Walker carried to within inches of the try-line and Dan Evans drove over to get the visitors back on track.

Biggar made another uncharacteristic miss with the conversion but returned to form with a late penalty.

And not only did they go on to secure the win but also the bonus point, as Webb made amends by feeding Tipuric for a score under the posts.

And with what was the last play of the game, Tom Grabham and Webb combined before the latter just about dotted the ball down.

The scorers:

For Treviso:

Try: Ragusi

Con: Hayward

Pens: Hayward 2

For Ospreys:

Tries: Walker, Evans, Tipuric, Webb

Cons: Biggar 2

Pens: Biggar 3

Yellow cards: Enrico Bacchin (Benetton Treviso, 25), Nicky Smith (Ospreys, 41), Rhys Webb (Ospreys, 52)

Teams:

Benetton Treviso: 15 Jayden Hayward, 14 Andrea Pratichetti, 13 Luca Morisi, 12 Enrico Bacchin, 11 Ludovico Nitoglia, 10 Sam Christie, 9 Edoardo Gori, 8 Mat Luamanu, 7 Francesco Minto, 6 Paul Derbyshire, 5 Corniel Van Zyl (captain), 4 Marco Fuser, 3 Rupert Harden, 2 Davide Giazzon, 1 Matteo Zanusso.

Replacements: 16 Albert Anae, 17 Romulo Acosta, 18 Matteo Muccignat, 19 Antonio Pavanello, 20 Meyer Swanepoel, 21 Nicola Cattina, 22 Simone Ragusi, 23 James Ambrosini.

Ospreys: 15 Dan Evans, 14 Tom Grabham, 13 Jonathan Spratt, 12 Josh Matavesi, 11 Eli Walker, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Rhys Webb, 8 Dan Baker, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Tyler Ardron, 4 Alun Wyn Jones (captain), 3 Aaron Jarvis, 2 Scott Baldwin, 1 Ryan Bevington.

Replacements: 16 Scott Otten, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Dmitri Arhip, 19 Lloyd Peers, 20 James King, 21 Tom Habberfield, 22 Sam Davies, 23 Ben John.

Referee: Dudley Phillips (Ireland)

Assistant referees: Marius Mitrea (Italy), Simone Boaretto (Italy)

TMO: Carlo Damasco (Italy)