Punto Oil Sump Replacement

The sump on my 2000 1.2 8v has rusted through close to the exhaust frontpipe.I have obtained a replacement and the correct sealer.Could anybody please advise if the removal of the exhaust manifold and frontpipe is necessary in order to replace the sump.

it is on a mk1...so I'd guess it is on a mk2.
On the mk1 you need to remove the downpipe from the manifold to the cat...the mk2 engine is pretty similar, except I believe the cat is built into the downpipe...so removing one removes the other.
Don't forget that anything you remove would benefit from new gaskets when you replace.

Many thanks for the advice
I was hoping to get away without removing the manifold in fear of breaking studs etc

You shouldn't have issues with breaking studs, if they're too tight they usually just unscrew from the head instead (no problem- makes removing the old gasket material easier!). More likely the manifold heatshield fixings will be seriously corroded and shear/round-off and need drilling out and tapping.

You may be lucky, the early sumps could be removed with the cat/downpipe in situ, though its likely the new sump will have the later design and won't clear.