Leinster rest big names for Dragons encounter

With top seed secured ahead of next weekend's PRO12 play off in the RDS, there is a fresh look to the Leinster team to face the Newport Gwent Dragons in Saturday night's clash in Rodney Parade (7.30pm).

Kevin McLaughlin leads the team and he makes his 72nd provincial appearance after coming on as a replacement in last weekend's Heineken Cup semi-final victory away to ASM Clermont Auvergne.

McLaughlin is joined in the back-row by Dominic Ryan and Leo Auva'a, who penned a two year deal with the province earlier this week.

Jack McGrath starts in the front row alongside Ireland hooker Sean Cronin and Nathan White, with Devin Toner named at second row alongside Damian Browne who makes his 21st appearance of the campaign.

Eoin Reddan links up at half back with Ian Madigan with Noel Reid partnering Brendan Macken at centre in a backline which features six recent Leinster Academy graduates.

Should Isa Nacewa feature from the bench - which mixes the youth of Luke McGrath and Jordi Murphy with the experience of Heinke van der Merwe - it will be the 100th time that he will do so in Leinster colours.

Leinster (v. Dragons): D Kearney; A Conway, B Macken, N Reid, F Carr; I Madigan, E Reddan; J McGrath, S Cronin, N White; D Toner, D Browne; K McLaughlin (c), D Ryan, L Auva’a.

Replacements: A Dundon, H van der Merwe, J Hagan, M Flanagan, J Murphy, L McGrath, I Nacewa, D Hudson