Hogan And Gleeson Return For Leinster

Ireland duo Trevor Hogan and Keith Gleeson will return to the Leinster side for the penultimate game of the season and Gleeson’s inclusion will mark his final home appearance for the province.

There is a familiar look to the remainder of the forwards, with Ollie Le Roux starting alongside Leinster’s Bank of Ireland Player of the Year Bernard Jackman and Stan Wright in the front row.

Shane Horgan has recovered from illness to take his place in a strong back-line which includes his fellow Ireland internationals Girvan Dempsey, Rob Kearney and captain Brian O’Driscoll.

Chris Whitaker partners Jonathan Sexton at half-back with Felipe Contepomi linking up with O’Driscoll in midfield.

Michael Cheika’s side are hoping to lift the Magners League trophy on their home patch, with a win over the Dragons putting an end to the title race.

Meanwhile, Leinster’s end of season player and supporter reception, in association with Magners, will take place post-match for all Leinster season ticket holders in Shelbourne Hall 2 inside the RDS.

Saturday’s game will comfortably exceed the 14,000 average that has helped make Leinster the ‘Best Supported Team’ in the Magners League for the second successive season.

Tickets are still on sale from Spar (Donnybrook) as well as from the Leinster Rugby Store (Donnybrook) and there will also be several hundred available from Ticketmaster outlets around the ground on Saturday afternoon.

LEINSTER (v Newport Gwent Dragons): Girvan Dempsey; Shane Horgan, Brian O’Driscoll (capt), Felipe Contepomi, Rob Kearney; Jonathan Sexton, Chris Whitaker; Ollie Le Roux, Bernard Jackman, Stan Wright, Trevor Hogan, Malcolm O’Kelly, Shane Jennings, Keith Gleeson, Jamie Heaslip.

Replacements: Brian Blaney, Stephen Knoop, Cameron Jowitt, Stephen Keogh, Chris Keane, Christian Warner, Luke Fitzgerald.