Leinster v Dragons: Teams
Leinster have announced a strong-looking squad to face the Dragons as they look to respond from their opening day defeat.
Last Updated: 18/09/09 10:11am
Leinster have announced a strong-looking squad to face the Dragons as they look to respond from their opening-day defeat.
Mike Ross and Shaun Berne are two of three players making their home debuts for the province with the third, David Kearney, named on the wing.
Kearney makes his second Leinster appearance in a back three which includes Isa Nacewa and Shane Horgan.
In the pack, Devin Toner partners skipper Leo Cullen in second row, with Sean O'Brien coming into the team to start at number eight.
Gordon D'Arcy and Nathan Hines are named on a strong replacements bench which also includes summer signing Eoin Reddan.
Meanwhile, top-of-the-table Dragons have made several changes to their starting line-up with injured captain Tom Willis dropping out of the squad altogether.
Promising back Jason Tovey settles for a place on the bench while Robert Sidoli comes in for Adam Jones at lock.
Leinster: 15 Isa Nacewa, 14 Shane Horgan, 13 Fergus McFadden, 12 Shaun Berne, 11 David Kearney, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Chris Keane, 8 Sean O'Brien, 7 Shane Jennings, 6 Kevin McLaughlin, 5 Devin Toner, 4 Leo Cullen (capt), 3 Mike Ross, 2 John Fogarty, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Jason Harris-Wright, 17 Stan Wright, 18 Nathan Hines, 19 Stephen Keogh, 20 Eoin Reddan, 21 Gordon D'Arcy, 22 Simon Keogh.
Dragons: 15 Martyn Thomas, 14 Aled Brew, 13 Tom Riley, 12 Ashley Smith, 11 Richard Fussell, 10 James Arlidge, 9 Wayne Evans, 8 tbc, 7 Grant Webb, 6 Gavin Thomas, 5 Luke Charteris (capt), 4 Robert Sidoli, 3 Nigel Hall, 2 Steve Jones, 1 Ali McKenzie.
Replacements: 16 Duane Goodfield, 17 Hugh Gustafson, 18 Gethin Robinson, 19 Adam Jones, 20 James Harris, 21 Jason Tovey, 22 Alex Walker.
