McFadden not passed to play; Kearney starts for Leinster

Dave Kearney starts for Leinster on Sunday.

Head coach Matt O’Connor has announced his starting XV to face the Dragons in the PRO12 this weekend - and confirmed Fergus McFadden has not passed the return to play protocols and will take no part in the game.

Zane Kirchner starts at full-back with Dave Kearney on the right wing in place of McFadden. Darragh Fanning starts on the left-wing to complete an all-new back three.

In the centre Gordon D’Arcy starts at 12 and is partnered by Ben Te’o at outside centre.

Jimmy Gopperth starts at 10 and is joined in the half-backs by Eoin Reddan at scrum-half.

Jack McGrath, Richardt Strauss and Marty Moore make up the front row with Ben Marshall and Mike mcCarthy starting in the second row.

Jack Conan starts at number eight, with captain Shane Jennings at openside flanker and Dominic Ryan starting at blindside.

Newport Gwent Dragons v Leinster at Rodney parade on Sunday April 11 - kick-off 4.15pm.

Leinster team: Zane Kirchner, Dave Kearney, Ben Te'o, Gordon D'Arcy, Darragh Fanning, Jimmy Gopperth, Eoin Reddan, Jack McGrath, Richardt Strauss, Martin Moore, Ben Marshall, Mike McCarthy, Dominic Ryan. Shane Jennings - capt, Jack Conan.

Replacements: Aaron Dundon, Michael Bent, Tadhg Furlong, Ross Molony, Jordi Murphy, Luke McGrath, Noel Reid, Luke Fitzgerald.