Dragons v Leinster: Teams
PRO12 leaders Leinster have made a host of changes for Saturday's clash with Newport-Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade.
Last Updated: 04/05/12 2:10pm
Leinster have made a host of changes for Saturday's clash with Newport-Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade.
After their superb Heineken Cup semi-final win over Clermont last weekend, the RaboDirect PRO12 leaders have freshened up their line-up for their final game of the regular season.
Kevin McLaughlin leads the team and is joined in the back-row by Dominic Ryan and Leo Auva'a, who penned a two-year deal with the province earlier this week.
Jack McGrath starts in the front-row alongside hooker Sean Cronin and Nathan White, with Devin Toner named at lock alongside Damian Browne.
Eoin Reddan and Ian Madigan are paired together in the halves, Noel Reid partners Brendan Macken at centre. The backline features six recent Leinster academy graduates.
Charteris landmark
As for the hosts, Luke Charteris is set to captain the Dragons for the final time in Saturday's match - it will be his 100th PRO12 appearance.
Aled Brew is also named in the starting XV before an off-season move abroad and outside centre Adam Hughes will bring up a half-century of appearances for the Welsh team.
The Dragons have opted to retain 17-year-old Monmouth Boys School pupil Hallam Amos at full-back - fellow teenager Jack Dixon is named on the bench.
Will Harries comes into the side on the wing in place of Tonderai Chavhanga, who had minor knee surgery last week on an injury sustained in their last match against the Ospreys.
Sam Parry is the only other change to the side selected to face the Ospreys as he comes in at hooker for Steve Jones.
Dragons: 15 Hallam Amos, 14 Will Harries, 13 Adam Hughes, 12 Ashley Smith, 11 Aled Brew, 10 Lewis Robling, 9 Wayne Evans, 8 Toby Faletau, 7 Lewis Evans, 6 Danny Lydiate, 5 Rob Sidoli, 4 Luke Charteris (capt), 3 Nathan Buck, 2 Sam Parry, 1 Nathan Williams.
Replacements: 16 Steve Jones, 17 Phil Price, 18 Dan Way, 19 Jevon Groves, 20 Tom Brown, 21 Jonathan Evans, 22 Pat Leach, 23 Jack Dixon.
Leinster: 15 David Kearney, 14 Andrew Conway, 13 Brendan Macken, 12 Noel Reid, 11 Fionn Carr, 10 Ian Madigan, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Leo Auva'a, 7 Dominic Ryan, 6 Kevin McLaughlin (capt), 5 Damian Browne, 4 Devin Toner, 3 Nathan White, 2 Sean Cronin, 1 Jack McGrath.
Replacements: 16 Aaron Dundon, 17 Heinke van der Merwe, 18 Jamie Hagan, 19 Mark Flanagan, 20 Jordi Murphy, 21 Luke McGrath, 22 Isa Nacewa, 23 Darren Hudson.
Date: Saturday, May 5
Kick-off: 19:30 BST
Venue: Rodney Parade
Referee: Marius Mitrea (Italy)
Assistant referees: James Jones (Wales), David Jones (Wales)
