JOEY CARBERY WILL start his first game at fullback for Leinster tomorrow night while Fergus McFadden and Rhys Ruddock return to the starting XV for the Pro12 trip to Rodney Parade to face the Dragons, (kick off 7.30pm, no TV or radio coverage)
Carbery will start at full-back, a position he has played already this season against Treviso and Edinburgh.
There are four changes in the backs from last Friday’s victory over Edinburgh as Adam Byrne starts on the right wing, McFadden comes in on the left wing and there’s a new half-back partnership in Ross Byrne and Jamison Gibson-Park.
In the pack Richardt Strauss and Michael Bent are introduced to the front row while in the back row Ruddock returns from a quad injury and Wicklow man Peadar Timmins will make his first start for Leinster.
A notable inclusion on the bench is Carlow native Ed Byrne, in line for his first appearance for Leinster since 31 October 2014. He has battled back from two serious knee injures.
Leinster (v Dragons):
15. Joey Carbery
14. Adam Byrne
13. Zane Kirchner
12. Noel Reid
11. Fergus McFadden
10. Ross Byrne
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
1. Peter Dooley
2. Richardt Strauss (captain)
3. Michael Bent
4. Ross Molony
5. Mike McCarthy
6. Rhys Ruddock
7. Peadar Timmins
8. Jack Conan
Replacements:
16. James Tracy
17. Ed Byrne
18. Mike Ross
19. Hayden Triggs
20. Max Deegan
21. Luke McGrath
22. Cathal Marsh
23. Barry Daly
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