Dragons v Leinster Preview

Percy Montgomery makes his first start of the campaign after an extended pre-season due to his South Africa commitments. Anderson has opted to use Montgomery at outside centre, a role he filled for most of last season., where he is set for a fascinating battle with opposite number Brian O'Driscoll.

Anderson though will have to make do without Hal Lissome and captain Jason Forster. Three quarter Luscombe has been ruled out until November with an arm injury, whilst skipper Forster has yet to recover from the concussion he picked up two weeks ago against Llanelli Scarlets.

Injury concerns Chris Anthony and Richard Bryan have both passed late fitness tests to be included.

Leinster coach Declan Kidney who walked out after barely a month in charge, returns to Gwent for the first time since ending an all too brief spell in charge at Rodney Parade in July.

Kidney who has praised Dragons' benefactor Tony Brown for the compassion he showed by allowing him to take the Lions' hot seat, finally has his Ireland squad members available to select from.

The former Ireland assistant coach has enjoyed an un expectant good start to his tenure with the province, notably becoming the first side to defeat Ulster at Ravenhill for two years, after a 17-15 win.

Nine internationals are set to make their first starts, with only Gordon D'Arcy being kept out of a formidable looking back line, due to a slight thigh strain.

The Lions have resisted the temptation to blood new signing kiwi outside half David Holwell from Wellington Hurricanes, but in Felipe Contepomi they have a more than formidable outside half.

With both sides at full strength and near the summit of the table, the Dragons are hoping for a record Celtic League home gate of around seven to eight thousand at Rodney Parade, for what promises to be one of the matches of the season.

Newport Gwent Dragons: K Morgan; G Wyatt, P Montgomery, S Tuipulotu, N Brew; C Sweeney, G Cooper; R Snow, S Jones, R Thomas, I Gough, P Sidoli, R Bryan , J Ringer, M Owen (capt).
Reps: J Richards, A Black, C Anthony, R Beattie, R Oakley, S Winn, G Baber.

Leinster Lions: Dempsey; Horgan, O'Driscoll, Warner, Brown; Contepomi, Easterby; Corrigan (capt), Byrne, Nebbett, O'Kelly, Gissing, Miller, Jennings, Costello.
Reps: Coyle, AN Other, Potts, Dillon, Lewis, O'Meara, Hickey.

Ref: Rob Dickson (Scotland) .