There is a long way to go in the Italian Championship (Findomestic Super 10), with 6 rounds still to play before the semi-finals on May 17 and 31, the final taking place a week later on June 6.

Only the finalists qualify for the Heineken Cup, but the race for the top slot is far from over.

Benetton Treviso are top of the league at the moment, with 53 points, with Ghial Amatori & Calvisano hot on their heels with 51. Challengers for the other two semi-final places come from GR.A.N. Rugby who have 37 points, Arix Viadana just one point behind on 36 points and Rugby Parma who have 32.

table correct at 10/02/03

PARKER PEN CHALLENGE CUP semi-finalists Petrarca Padova are lying in sixth place in the Italian Championship.

They narrowly lost their last Championship match away to current Italian champions Arix Viadana 29-27, but will be relishing the prospect of their next outing - they host Overmach Rugby Parma on April 5, the team currently one place ahead of them in the rankings.

The next round of Italian games takes place on the weekend of April 5.