Leinster squad to face the Dragons

The panel features a number of players who have impressed in recent weeks in the British & Irish Cup such as Shaun Berne, Michael Keating, Niall Morris and Dominic Ryan as well as the likes of Bernard Jackman and Malcolm O'Kelly. CJ van der Linde is also included after featuring for the Springboks during the November international series.

In addition, Leinster can call upon the likes of John Fogarty, Fergus McFadden, Mike Ross and Devin Toner who were all involved recently for Ireland 'A'.

Meanwhile in ticket news, over 17,000 tickets have now been sold for Leinster's home Heineken Cup clash against the Scarlets on Saturday, 19th December (KO: 3.45pm). With in excess of 15,000 tickets sold for the St. Stephen's Day Magners League clash against Ulster (KO: 5.30pm) the province is gearing up for a busy Christmas period. Book your tickets for both clashes today, as well as the Magners League against the Glasgow Warriors on January 8th, on www.leinsterrugby.ie

Leinster squad to face the Dragons

FORWARDS: Mark Flanagan, John Fogarty, Trevor Hogan, Bernard Jackman, Stephen Keogh, Ronan McCormack, Jack McGrath, Malcolm O'Kelly, Mike Ross, Rhys Ruddock, Dominic Ryan, Paul Ryan, Richardt Strauss, Devin Toner, CJ van der Linde

BACKS: Shaun Berne, Girvan Dempsey, Chris Keane, David Kearney, Michael Keating, Simon Keogh, Ian Madigan, Fergus McFadden, Ian McKinley, Niall Morris, Eoin O'Malley

REFEREE: Simon McDowell (IRFU, 29th League game), ASSISTANT REFEREES: Phil Fear (WRU), Sean Brickell (WRU), TMO: Neil Ballard (WRU)

Speaking ahead of Sunday's Magners League game, Leinster Defence Coach KURT McQUILKIN said that the squad are looking to improve upon their recent record in Rodney Parade against an improved Dragons side...

"November is a period where coaches and players can re-focus and put in a lot more one-to-one preparation, but there was no sense of us taking the foot off the pedal because we've been hard at work preparing for the next block of Magners League and then the two Heineken Cup games over a busy December period.

"The Dragons are the top Welsh club in the Magners League at the moment so they will be high on confidence coming into Sunday's game. They have a fairly steady squad in terms of players who were missing during the international window and with the likes of Luke Charteris having a strong season to date, they will be difficult opponents.

"We're under no illusions as to how difficult Sunday's game will be as we have lost our last two games in Rodney Parade. In an intimate ground like this you hear every comment and that puts a lot of pressure on the away team and the officials when things don't go right! They have a large, vocal home support and for the new players in our squad this year that will be another factor for them to contend with. We have been practicing hard and you can sense a real determination in the players' attitudes to maintain top spot in the league.

"In saying that, the attitude by the players over the last few weeks has been first class. We enjoyed two good wins in the opening British & Irish Cup games and some of the players who were involved have put their hands up for selection. I'm sure that there will be a few selection headaches, but that's exactly the way you want it.

"The fact that the game is on a Sunday won't be a factor because we're professionals and you have to work around changes in schedules. The returning internationals have really instilled a positive energy into training and it just reiterates that we have some of the best professionals around. We'll definitely take confidence from Ireland's excellent performances over November as well as our two good wins in the British & Irish Cup.

"The Dragons have lots of danger men in their team. Joe Bearman is a very good loose forward while James Arlidge has a good boot and can dictate the tempo superbly. I have noticed a big improvement in the Dragons this year. They're a lot more patient and their tails will be up, which is a dangerous prospect for us."