Newport Gwent Dragons v Leinster: Guinness PRO12 preview
Last Updated: 12/04/15 5:47pm
Leinster head coach Matt O’Connor has rotated his squad for Sunday’s Guinness PRO12 tie with the Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade.
O’Connor has rested a host of Ireland internationals, including Sean O’Brien, Jamie Heaslip and Ian Madigan, who kicked Leinster to victory against Bath last weekend.
Gordon D’Arcy comes into midfield alongside Ben Te’o, while Zane Kirchner, Dave Kearney and Darragh Fanning form a new back three partnership.
Eoin Reddan replaces Isaac Boss at scrum-half, with front-rowers Jack McGrath, Richardt Strauss and Marty Moore promoted to the starting line-up after coming off the bench against Bath.
Jennings captains the side from openside flanker, with Dominic Ryan and Jack Conan partnering him in the back row.
The Dragons also recorded a European victory last weekend when they defeated Welsh rivals Cardiff Blues in the Challenge Cup, and Lyn Jones makes three changes to his starting line-up.
British and Irish Lion Taulupe Faletau comes in at No 8, Tyler Morgan is preferred to Pat Leach at outside centre, while James Thomas partners Cory Hill in the second row.
Jones also makes five changes to his bench, with Luke Garrett poised to make his debut if introduced.
Newport Gwent Dragons: 15 Jason Tovey, 14 Tom Prydie, 13 Tyler Morgan, 12 Jack Dixon, 11 Hallam Amos, 10 Dorian Jones, 9 Jonathan Evans; 1 Phil Price, 2 T Rhys Thomas (c), 3 Brok Harris, 4 James Thomas, 5 Cory Hill, 6 Nick Crosswell, 7 Nic Cudd, 8 Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: 16 Rhys Buckley, 17 Luke Garrett, 18 Dan Way, 19 Matthew Screech, 20 James Benjamin, 21 Luc Jones, 22 Pat Leach, 23 Geraint Rhys Jones.
Leinster: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Dave Kearney, 13 Ben Te'o, 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Darragh Fanning, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Eoin Reddan; 1 Jack McGrath, 2 Richardt Strauss, 3 Martin Moore, 4 Ben Marshall, 5 Mike McCarthy, 6 Dominic Ryan, 7 Shane Jennings (c), 8 Jack Conan.
Replacements: 16 Aaron Dundon,17 Michael Bent, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Ross Molony, 20 Jordi Murphy, 21 Luke McGrath, 22 Noel Reid, 23 Luke Fitzgerald.
