Last season’s skipper will fill the boots of Andrew Coombs who is currently away with the Welsh squad training for the autumn test series. Coombs is training alongside Toby Faletau, who has also been named in the squad.
Talking about facing Leinster, Lewis Evans said “They always bring a formidable team and we know that a challenge will be coming up this weekend... regardless of what side they put down they are a big threat.
“Their strength and depth in the squad is unbelievable and we have lost our two internationals now and we have had to bring in some of the guys who probably haven’t had much game time this year or they have started every game. Whereas they pretty much have a new starting line up with fresh feet.”
Director of Rugby Lyn Jones has made in total eight changes to his starting XV this week, including Colwyn bay born Leach who returns to the Dragons fold after spending almost seven weeks out with his elbow injury. He makes up one half of the centre pairing alongside Ross Wardle. The back five also sees a change in fullback with Hallam Amos moving there from the wing, leaving it to Adam Hughes to tackle the number 11 jersey and Tom Prydie stays at the open side wing.
After recovering from concussion Jason Tovey returns to outside half and Richie Rees keeps his place as scrum half.
The front row remains the same as last week but the second rows are altered with Matthew Screech moving to 4 and Adam Jones as 5. Then the only change in the back row is Captain Netani Talei, who takes on the number 8 jersey.
The bench has three changes from last week and is as follows, Hugh Gustafson, Nathan Williams, Francisco Chaparro, Rob Sidoli, Ieuan Jones, Jonathan Evans, Kris Burton, Dan Evans.
Dragons Team to Face Leinster
Hallam Amos, Tom Prydie, Pat Leach, Ross Wardle, Adam Hughes, Jason Tovey, Richie Rees; Owen Evans, Sam Parry, Dan Way, Adam Jones, Matthew Screech, Jevon Groves, Lewis Evans (c), Netani Talei.
Replacements
Hugh Gustafson, Nathan Williams, Francisco Chaparro, Rob Sidoli, Ieuan Jones, Jonathan Evans, Kris Burton, Dan Evans.
