Leinster have made nine changes to the team to face the Newport-Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade on Friday (KO: 7.05pm, BBC Wales).

Reggie Corrigan, Shane Byrne, Malcolm O'Kelly, Brian O'Driscoll, Shane Horgan and Girvan Dempsey all make their first starts of the season.

Dempsey replaces last weekend's man of the match Denis Hickie at full back. Hickie drops to the bench after two impressive run-outs in the last two wins over Munster and The Borders respectively as he continues his rehabilitation.

Gary Brown, Guy Easterby, Christian Warner and Felipe Contepomi are retained from last weekend's 50-13 win, with the Argentinian Contepomi switching to out-half. Brian O'Meara drops to the bench.

In the pack, Reggie Corrigan skippers the side and is joined in the front row by Shane Byrne - a second half substitute last weekend - and Ricky Nebbett. Malcolm O'Kelly partners the recalled Ben Gissing in the second row, with Shane Jennings replacing Ciaran Potts at wing forward.

Emmett Byrne, Leo Cullen, Aidan McCullen, James Norton and David Quinlan are rested, while Gordon D'Arcy misses out with a slight groin strain. A vacancy has been left on the bench which will be filled closer to kick off.

Leinster: 15: Girvan Dempsey 14: Shane Horgan 13: Brian O'Driscoll 12: Christian Warner 11: Gary Brown 10: Felipe Contepomi 9: Guy Easterby 1: Reggie Corrigan (Captain) 2: Shane Byrne 3: Ricky Nebbett 4: Malcolm O'Kelly 5: Ben Gissing 6: Eric Miller 7: Shane Jennings 8: Victor Costello Replacements: 16: Peter Coyle 17: A.N. Other 18: Ciaran Potts 19: Des Dillon 20: Kieran Lewis 21: Brian O'Meara 22: Denis Hickie Referee: Rob Dickson (SRU)