Brian O’Driscoll leads a strong team to the Parade

Leinster announce a strong team to face the Dragons in Friday night's Magners League clash in Rodney Parade, KO: 7.10pm.

Leinster announce a strong team to face the Dragons in Friday night's Magners League clash in Rodney Parade, KO: 7.10pm.

There are several changes to the starting line up for the final Magners League game of the season. In the backline, Chris Keane starts at scrum-half and partners Jonathan Sexton at half-back. Michael Berne partners skipper Brian O'Driscoll while Luke Fitzgerald joins Shane Horgan and Girvan Dempsey in the back three.

In the pack there are starts for Cian Healy, Brian Blaney and Stephen Knoop, with Devin Toner lining up alongside Trevor Hogan. Cameron Jowitt and Kevin McLaughlin both start in the back-row alongside Stephen Keogh who moves to number eight.

Bernard Jackman, Malcolm O'Kelly and Chris Whitaker are all named on a strong-looking bench.

Speaking ahead of Friday night's Magners League game in Rodney Parade, Leinster and Ireland 'A' out-half Jonathan Sexton said that the squad are determined to finish a positive season on a high.

"I see Friday's game as a huge one because it will present players with a chance to stake a claim for next year. I see the Dragons game as a great opportunity to step up to the plate and try to give the coaches some more options.

"The Dragons are dangerous with ball in hand. A few of the tries that they conceded were from turnovers, but we were conscious in the build up to last weekend that we needed to guard against their attacking threat."

LEINSTER:

15: Girvan Dempsey

14: Shane Horgan

13: Brian O'Driscoll CAPTAIN

12: Michael Berne

11: Luke Fitzgerald

10: Jonathan Sexton

9: Chris Keane

1: Cian Healy

2: Brian Blaney

3: Stephen Knoop

4: Trevor Hogan