O'Driscoll and Dempsey in Leinster squad

Ireland internationals Brian O'Driscoll, Shane Horgan, Girvan Dempsey, Malcolm O'Kelly and Bernard Jackman are included in the Leinster squad to play the Newport Gwent Dragons in Saturday's Magners League clash at the RDS (KO: 5.30pm).

Wallaby international Rocky Elsom and South African CJ van der Linde are also expected to play a leading role in a side expected to be reduced to the final 22 on Friday lunchtime.

Feliep Contepomi, Shane Jennings, Leo Cullen, Isa Nacewa, Luke Fitzgerald and Robert Kearney are among those out of the loop this weekend.

A number of players who were in good form for the Leinster 'A' team over recent weeks, including Fergus McFadden, Eoin O'Malley, Felxi Jones, Cian Healy and Devin Toner have been included.

LEINSTER SQUAD (v The Dragons)

Backs: Chris Whitaker, Chris Keane, Paul O'Donohoe, Jonathan Sexton, Fergus McFadden, Brian O'Driscoll, Eoin O'Malley, Shane Horgan, Felix Jones, Simon Keogh, Gary Brown, Girvan Dempsey

Forwards: Cian Healy, CJ van der Linde, Stan Wright, John Fogarty, Bernard Jackman, Brian Blaney, Devin Toner, Trevor Hogan, Malcolm O'Kelly, Cameron Jowitt, Sean O'Brien, Rocky Elsom, Stephen Keogh.