Leinster team to face the Dragons

There are several changes to the starting line up for the final Magners League game of the season. In the backline, Chris Keane starts at scrum-half and partners Jonathan Sexton at half-back. Michael Berne partners skipper Brian O'Driscoll while Luke Fitzgerald joins Shane Horgan and Girvan Dempsey in the back three.

In the pack there are starts for Cian Healy, Brian Blaney and Stephen Knoop, with Devin Toner lining up alongside Trevor Hogan. Cameron Jowitt and Kevin McLaughlin both start in the back-row alongside Stephen Keogh who moves to number eight.

Bernard Jackman, Malcolm O'Kelly and Chris Whitaker are all named on a strong-looking bench.

Speaking ahead of Friday night's Magners League game in Rodney Parade, Leinster and Ireland 'A' out-half Jonathan Sexton said that the squad are determined to finish a positive season on a high.

"We're all delighted to have won the league title last weekend, but we're determined to use this success as a stepping-stone to go on and really challenge for the Heineken Cup. There was a lot of talk about that after the game, and that has to be one of our main goals from next season.

"It is important that we remain consistent in the Magners League, because if you look at it, the great sides like Leicester and Wasps win or compete strongly in their domestic competitions on a regular basis.

"It was great to beat Munster home and away, beating Ulster at home on St. Stephens' Day was a good feeling, but I suppose the one constant source throughout the campaign was in playing in front of big crowds in the RDS. I played in the Last Stand in Lansdowne Road and we had half the numbers at the home game against Munster, but twice the volume. It was just incredible. Hopefully the supporters and the fan-base will continue to be a major part of our success for many years to come.

"Highlights from last weekend? The whole day was a highlight to be honest. There was a fair bit of anxiety in the build up, personally speaking, because the level of expectation was so high, but thankfully we managed to put in a strong performance and the celebrations afterwards were really special.

"I have enjoyed the whole season. I know that I benefited from Gordon (D'Arcy's) absence but I really learned a lot playing alongside him and Felipe (Contepomi) at 12 as well as the likes of Brian O'Driscoll, Christian Warner, Mick Berne and Fergus McFadden over the season.

"It has been great to play alongside all the backs, and in that regard Whits (Chris Whitaker) has been a massive help. He is a top class performer and has so much experience because he has achieved virtually everything you can in the game. He's willing to give you tips and encouragement and that gives you a lift during training and in matches.

"Being left out of the Heineken Cup squad once or twice really drove me on. I was especially pleased to come back to play in the last few games after the thumb injury I sustained against Leicester in January, because I thought that my season was over at that stage.

"I'm pleased with how things have progressed over the last few months. I feel as though I have established myself a bit more in the squad, but you can't be complacent because with Isa Nacewa and other new signings coming in it will be up to all of us to knuckle down over the summer and try to kick on.

"I see Friday's game as a huge one because it will present players with a chance to stake a claim for next year. I see the Dragons game as a great opportunity to step up to the plate and try to give the coaches some more options.

"The Dragons are dangerous with ball in hand. A few of the tries that they conceded were from turnovers, but we were conscious in the build up to last weekend that we needed to guard against their attacking threat."

LEINSTER:

15: Girvan Dempsey
14: Shane Horgan
13: Brian O'Driscoll CAPTAIN
12: Michael Berne
11: Luke Fitzgerald
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Chris Keane

1: Cian Healy
2: Brian Blaney
3: Stephen Knoop
4: Trevor Hogan
5: Devin Toner
6: Cameron Jowitt
7: Kevin McLaughlin
8: Stephen Keogh

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Bernard Jackman
17: Ronan McCormack
18: Malcolm O'Kelly
19: Richie Leyden
20: Chris Whitaker
21: Christian Warner
22: Gary Brown


REFEREE: Colin Stanley (IRFU)*, SUB REFEREE: Nigel Owens (WRU), TOUCH JUDGE: Gwyn Morris (WRU), TMO: Huw Lewis (WRU)

*Note change of official