Leinster head coach Matt O’Connor says his side are in no danger of underestimating tenth-place Newport Gwent Dragons ahead of their clash at the RDS Arena on Sunday. O’Connor’s hand has been forced by international duties upon the GUINNESS PRO12’s return, making nine changes to the side that drew with Wasps in Europe three weeks ago. Richardt Strauss and Tadhg Furlong return in the front row alongside Michael Bent, with Tom Denton coming in to partner Kane Douglas at lock. Shane Jennings will captain the side from the back row alongside Jack Conan and the retained Dominic Ryan. Fergus McFadden, Dave Kearney and Jimmy Gopperth continue in the backs with Luke McGrath, Noel Reid, Ben Te’o and Darragh Fanning completing the side. O’Connor’s side have not lost a match in 2015 and have won their last 21 games at the RDS, but the coach admits the visitors are something of an unknown quantity this weekend. “We haven't seen much of them just because of circumstance,” he said. “We haven't actually reviewed any of their games because of the opposition we've played in Europe more recently. "We aren't overly familiar with them but we know what they'll deliver. They're very, very physical. "They've got some very good players, particularly their nine and 10 – Richie Rees and Jason Tovey guide them around the park very well. We'll have to make sure we're on top of things." The Dragons will be hoping to break their Dublin duck, having lost all 11 of their previous GUINNESS PRO12 trips to Leinster. Their last win over their hosts came in Newport in December 2009, though they have shown good form on the road of late, winning three of their last four away games in all competitions. The Welsh side show eight changes from last week’s LV=Cup victory over London Welsh, Jason Tovey and Hallam Amos joining Tom Prydie in the back three. Jack Dixon is given a run at centre alongside Pat Leach, while Dorian Jones comes in at fly-half alongside Jonathan Evans in the half-backs. Up front prop Owen Evans and flankers James Thomas and Nic Cudd are the new faces, joining Brok Harris, T. Rhys Thomas, Andrew Coombs, captain Rynard Landman and Nick Crosswell in the pack. And although the Dragons have not won on Irish soil since 2008’s 16-14 win in Ulster, newly-appointed backs coach Shaun Connor is eager to break that losing habit this weekend. “We will give them the respect they deserve but we are going there with a bit of confidence and hopefully we can come back with the result,” he said. “We can use our record as a positive and every professional sportsman should be up for a challenge, if not then they are in the wrong game. “Leinster replace their internationals with internationals but we will give it a good crack and are up for the fight.” At RDS Arena, 3pm Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU, 3rd competition game) Assistant Referees: Stuart Gaffikin, Oisin Quinn (both IRFU) Citing Commissioner: Tim Lowry (IRFU)
