The experience of old heads is keeping Leinster on the right track ahead of a Friday night clash with Newport Gwent Dragons at the RDS, according to head coach Matt O’Connor.

A number of key men have been unavailable to O’Connor during the international window – but he still has a number of veterans to call upon.

South African international Zane Kirchner starts at full-back following his second try for the club last week at Zebre.

And in a boon for Leinster, Fergus McFadden, Martin Moore, Sean Cronin and Jack McGrath are all back in the starting line-up after clocking international minutes against Wales last week.

Eoin Reddan and Ian Madigan will take the reins at half-back while Jimmy Gopperth is named among the replacements.

And it is the input from veterans such as Kirchner and Gopperth – in addition to the continued form of up-and-comers such as starting centre Noel Reid – that O’Connor believes has given his side a boost in recent weeks.

“They are invaluable in these periods – tough conditions, compromised squad, that experience is huge for the rest of the guys to lean on and learn from,” he told thescore.ie.

“The pair of them, and especially Zane at the back has given us so much stability. It has made it so much easier for the team to function.

“Noel has played really well. I didn’t know much about him before arriving at Leinster. In relation to his distribution, and what he provides the rest of the backline of the team with, he is doing a great job for us.

“It is huge to have blokes who can step in to that job when guys like Gordon D’Arcy are away. Noel has played a lot of rugby for us and played really well.

“(The players) can look at these Test windows really positively and they understand how important it is for the squad to be really successful in this period because as we said last week, it determines whether you are in the top four or not.

“In terms of whether you are home in the semi-final or away in the semi-final, these points are massive for us and the guys understand that responsibility. By and large they look forward to it and take it with both hands.”

The Dragons have failed to beat an Irish province on their travels in the RaboDirect PRO12 since September 2008 – while Leinster are enjoying a recent run of success with 23 league points from their last six matches.

But they will be able to call upon an experienced side, with Pat Leach and Ashley Smith making up the centres and Rob Sidoli captaining the side from the second row.

Hallam Amos is shifted from full-back to wing following the Anglo-Welsh Cup clash against Newcastle Falcons, while Jason Tovey lines up at fly-half as Richie Rees takes his place at No.9.

And head coach Darren Edwards insists his side have come up with a blueprint for success on the road – but the key will be in following it to the letter.

“Leinster are a very well-organised team and are currently doing well in the league. So going over there will be difficult for us,” said Edwards, whose team’s match against Edinburgh last weekend was postponed due to Rodney Parade’s waterlogged pitch.

“When we beat Glasgow away I thought that for us was a major stepping stone, we opposed Glasgow’s game on them and actually won that battle.

“Now we know a formula that does work, it’s just about making sure we keep attacking that.

“We play a certain style here and it works really well, so we do get results at home. But I do think that we need to do something away from home – we really need to concentrate on the basics of the game.

“When teams change their squads around like Leinster will have to because of the Irish boys in the national squad, our set piece and kicking game need to be spot on.”

At RDS Dublin, 7.45pm. Live on TG4
Referee: Marius Mitrea ( FIR, 22nd competition game)
Assistant Referees: M Patton, B O’Connell (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: John Cole (IRFU)
TMO: Kevin Beggs (IRFU)