Flanker Jamie Ringer leads The Dragons on Saturday for their Magners League trip to Donnybrook (kick off 7.30pm) and this will be the first time that Ringer has led the region.
Ringer has been ruled out for the past two games with a hamstring injury but makes his comeback for the region as captain on Saturday. Speaking on his appointment as captain for the game against Leinster Ringer said, "Naturally I am delighted to be captaining The Dragons on Saturday and it is a real honour. The game against Leinster will be a big test for us but it is important to show that we are a strong squad even though we are missing players who are on international duty. We are expecting a high tempo; all-action match and we are more than capable of matching them. With guys missing, it is important we show we have strength in depth and Saturday's game will allow us to do that."
Gareth Wyatt has recovered from his rib injury which has seen him on the sidelines since the EDF Energy Cup match against Northampton and he starts at fullback for the Men of Gwent. The other changes to the team that narrowly lost to Bristol last weekend sees Richard Fussell replacing Aled Brew on the wing while Mike Hercus and Alex Walker form a new half back partnership.
Following an intense recruitment drive by The Dragons over the summer they have greater strength in depth this season and more resources to call upon, this is echoed by coach Paul Turner, "I would like to think that we are in a better position than last year with strong competition for places. It will be a major test for us on Saturday against a side who are at times playing some superb rugby."
The mid-field partnership of American International Paul Emerick and Academy member Ashley Smith is maintained with Smith looking forward to Saturday's match at Donnybrook saying, "We are expecting a tough match against Leinster. No doubt they will be ruing their narrow defeat to Edinburgh last weekend and will want to put that behind them with a good display this weekend. While we were disappointed with our narrow loss to Bristol we have taken a number of positives from that match; we know we can perform away from home, our defence was outstanding and providing we can get our attack going we can cause real problems and there is no reason why we cannot leave Donnybrook with four points. It will give us all a real boast if we can secure a win but we have to be at our very best on Saturday night."
Among the forwards Kieran Crawford replaces Ben Daly, there is a new second row partnership in Andrew Hall and Peter Sidoli. Among the back row Ringer is joined by Joe Bearman who has recovered from a hip injury while Fitisemanu keeps his place at No.8.
Dragons Team
Gareth Wyatt, Nathan Brew, Paul Emerick, Ashley Smith, Richard Fussell, Mike Hercus, Alex Walker, Adam Black, Kieran Crawford, Lee Harrison, Andrew Hall, Peter Sidoli, Joe Bearman, Jamie Ringer (c), Nic Fitisemanu
Replacements
Ben Daly, Ian George, Bryn Griffiths, Colin Charvis, Aled Brew, Craig Warlow, James Ireland.
