Dragons v Leinster: Teams

The Dragons have opted to shuffle their back-row options for the visit of Leinster.

Dan Lydiate returns after an impressive RBS Six Nations campaign and Toby Faletau starts at No.8.

Gavin Thomas is also back in the mix after recovering from a jaw injury and will start on the bench.

Tom Riley will start in the centres in place of the injured Pat Leach, while Matthew Pewtner and Jon Evans are named on the bench.

Must-win

Leinster skills coach Richie Murphy has warned his side that the Dragons will pose a "threat" to their play-off ambitions.

Leinster will welcome back Shane Horgan after a two-month lay-off, while Ireland internationals Luke Fitzgerald, Jonathan Sexton and Fergus McFadden all return.

Jamie Heaslip, Nathan Hines and Eoin Reddan will all start the game on the bench.

And Murphy has admitted: "Rodney Parade is a very difficult place to play. Over the last two years we have shipped reasonably big defeats so I think this week it will be about us getting ourselves right, being mentally ready for the game and with the league position that we're in at the moment it's a 'must-win' game for us.

"They have threats all through their team. They're particularly strong in their back-row and they've plenty of pace out wide as well.

"At this stage of the season - I mean last year one or two teams had all but confirmed their places in the semi finals - any one from six teams can realistically make the semi finals.

"So, with that in mind, we're very conscious that each game matters now and out of the last five games, we're going to have to try and win them all."

Dragons: 15 Martyn Thomas, 14 Will Harries, 13 Adam Hughes, 12 Tom Riley, 11 Aled Brew, 10 Jason Tovey, 9 Wayne Evans, 8 Toby Faletau, 7 Lewis Evans, 6 Joe Bearman, 5 Adam Jones, 4 Luke Charteris (capt), 3 Dan Way, 2 Lloyd Burns, 1 Phil Price.
Replacements: 16 Steve Jones, 17 Hugh Gustafson, 18 Ben Castle, 19 Adam Brown, 20 Gavin Thomas, 21 Matthew Pewtner, 22 Matthew Jones, 23 Jon Evans.

Leinster: 15 Isa Nacewa, 14 Shane Horgan, 13 Eoin O'Malley, 12 Fergus McFadden, 11 Luke Fitzgerald, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Isaac Boss, 1 Heinke van der Merwe, 2 Richardt Strauss, 3 Stan Wright, 4 Leo Cullen, 5 Devin Toner, 6 Kevin McLaughlin, 7 Dominic Ryan, 8 Rhys Ruddock.
Replacements: 16 Aaron Dundon, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 Simon Shawe, 19 Nathan Hines, 20 Jamie Heaslip, 21 Eoin Reddan, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Dave Kearney