Leo Cullen forced into 12 changes for trip to Newport Gwent Dragons

With more than 30 first team players unavailable due to injury or international commitments Leinster boss Leo Cullen has been forced into 12 changes for Friday night’s Pro 12 fixture against the Newport Gwent Dragons.

A win at Rodney Parade against second-bottom Dragons would move Leinster to the top of the Pro 12 table, and Cullen has selected a new-look side from the one thrashed by Wasps in the Champions Cup.

In the forwards only Jordi Murphy and Dominic Ryan have been retained from the 51-10 defeat at the Ricoh Arena, while Luke McGrath will captain the side for the first time from scrumhalf.

Zane Kirchner has been switched from wing to fullback, while Fergus McFadden returns from suspension. They are joined in the back three by Adam Byrne, who is making his second appearance for the province.

Garry Ringrose, who was left out of Ireland’s Six Nations squad by Joe Schmidt in order to get game time with Leinster, will partner Ben Te’o in midfield.

Leinster have reinforcements on the bench, with Richardt Strauss and Ian Madigan among the replacements.

Leinster: Zane Kirchner, Adam Byrne, Garry Ringrose, Ben Te'o, Fergus McFadden, Cathal Marsh, Luke McGrath, Peter Dooley, James Tracy, Michael Bent, Ross Molony, Hayden Triggs, Dominic Ryan, Dan Leavy, Jordi Murphy.

Replacements: Richardt Strauss, Jeremy Loughman, Oisín Heffernan, Tadhg Beirne, Peadar Timmins, Isaac Boss, Ian Madigan, Noel Reid.