Kirchner set for first Leinster start

South Africa international Zane Kirchner is make his first start Leinster on Friday after being named at full back in the team to take on Newport Gwent Dragons.

The RaboDirect PRO12 clash in Rodney Parade (KO: 7.05pm) also includes the fit-again Lote Tuqiri and St. Mary's College captain Darragh Fanning.

Luke Fitzgerald, one of four Ireland internationals in the starting line-up, continues his midfield partnership with Noel Reid while there are recalls for Jimmy Gopperth and scrum-half John Cooney, who makes his 24th appearance for the province.

Shane Jennings leads the team and is named in the back-row alongside Rhys Ruddock and Dominic Ryan.

Michael Bent switches to loose-head in a front row which also includes Aaron Dundon and Martin Moore who trained with the Ireland squad earlier this week.

The replacements bench includes seven players who have either graduated or are current products of the Leinster Academy including Wexford born tight-head prop Tadhg Furlong who is another product of the Leinster Youths system to progress through the ranks in recent years.

LEINSTER (V Dragons): Kirchner, Fanning, Fitzgerald, Reid, Tuqiri, Gopperth, Cooney, Bent, Dundon, Moore, Roux, Denton, Ryan, Jennings, Ruddock.

Replacements: Tracy, O'Connell, Furlong, Marshall, Auva'a, McGrath, Marsh, Macken.

Referee: John Lacey (IRFU).