Leinster welcome back big guns

Last week's defeat against The Borders should have rankled. If it didn't, then something is amiss because despite missing their international contingent, Leinster possess quality young and fringe players who should be capable of producing better rugby.

Niall Ronan was an obvious exception to the general torpor, the former Ireland under-21 openside enjoying an excellent game and deservedly retaining his place for tomorrow's clash. The one time Meath minor Gaelic footballer hasn't had too many opportunities but last week he reminded coach Declan Kidney of his latent talent.

Another to have made an impression is Ciaran Potts, the young Mary's forward named at blindside wing forward in a very mobile and athletic backrow that includes Eric Miller at number eight. Ronan and Potts are the only players to be retained from last week's starting pack as Reggie Corrigan, Shane Byrne, Emmett Byrne, Leo Cullen, Malcolm O'Kelly and Miller return.

Behind the scrum there are also wholesale changes with David Holwell the only player left in situ. Girvan Dempsey, Shane Horgan, Denis Hickie, Brian O'Driscoll, Gordon D'Arcy and Guy Easterby reclaim places although Irish captain O'Driscoll will undergo a late fitness test. Given the proximity of the Six Nations Championship he won't be risked and so Felipe Contepomi stands by.

The Gwent Dragons have eight players seconded to the Welsh squad and so are forced to make seven changes in personnel and one positional switch to the team that beat Glasgow last week.

Steve Winn comes into the centre for Hal Luscombe, Ben Breeze replaces Craig Morgan on the left wing while Craig Warlow and Gareth Baber deputise for first choice halfback pairing Ceri Sweeney and Gareth Cooper.

James Richards is in as hooker with Neil Edwards introduced in place of the absent Ian Gough in the second row. In the backrow Rhys Oakley takes over from Michael Owen. The Dragons' last eight matches have all gone to the team playing at home, with their last victory on the road a win against Edinburgh last October.

Leinster have lost their last two games in the Celtic League to Munster in Musgrave Park and The Borders at Netherdale. Their form at home offers a bit more cheer as they haven't suffered a defeat in 14 matches in Dublin, their most recent reverse at Lansdowne Road being against Sale in the European Cup in January 2004. The home side has won all three previous clashes between the two teams. The Dragons were easy 34-13 winners at Rodney Parade in October.

The corresponding fixture last season produced over 90 points with Leinster climbing past the half century.

This fixture marks something of a farewell for the province's national squad players as they will concentrate on the Six Nations Championship for the next couple of months. They will want to sign off with a flourish.

Given that the Dragons are so obviously diminished in terms of first team players anything other than a Leinster victory would be a major surprise. The home side shouldn't allow that to materialise.

LEINSTER: G Dempsey; S Horgan, B O'Driscoll/F Contepomi, G D'Arcy, D Hickie; D Holwell, G Easterby; R Corrigan (capt), S Byrne, E Byrne; L Cullen, M O' Kelly; C Potts, E Miller, N Ronan. Replacements (from): R Nebbett, D Blaney, B Gissing, A McCullen, V Costello, B O'Riordan, D Quinlan, K Lewis, G Brown.

GWENT DRAGONS: S Tuipulotu; G Wyatt, P Montgomery, S Winn, B Breeze; C Warlow, G Baber; R Snow, J Richards, C Anthony; N Edwards, P Sidoli; J Ringer, R Oakley, J Forster (capt). Replacements: K Crawford, A Black, R Thomas, M Veater, J Ireland, N Brew/R Payne, G Chapman.

Referee: David Changleng (Scotland)

Recent Meetings: February 2004 (CL) at Rodney Parade - The Dragons 35 Leinster 14; May 2004 (CL) at Lansdowne Road - Leinster 56 The Dragons 39; October 2004 (CL) at Rodney Parade - The Dragons 34 Leinster 13.

Leading points scorers: Leinster - David Holwell 66. Dragons - Ceri Sweeney 101.

Leading try scorers: Leinster - Gary Brown 4. Dragons - Kevin Morgan 9.

Verdict: Leinster.