Leinster v Dragons: Michael Cheika has championed consistency, admitting the lack of it at times prevents Leinster building a run of victories. It's a point he's likely to reinforce ahead of tonight's match. Beating Munster before losing to Border Reivers illustrates the problem.
Leinster are shorn of their international back line but have rich talents in their stead. Luke Fitzgerald gets a run in his favourite position, fullback - Rob Kearney is absent with a hamstring injury - and Gary Brown is on the right wing with Denis Hickie, the only survivor in the three-quarters from the Edinburgh defeat.
Kieran Lewis and Christian Warner form a capable combination at centre. Understudying Brian O'Driscoll and Gordon D'Arcy entails obvious limitations on game time, so Lewis and Warner will be keen to exploit the opportunity.
Cillian Willis has recovered from an ankle injury and will link up for a third successive game with the mercurial Felipe Contepomi at halfback.
This back line may be short on box-office names but possesses enough pace and intelligence to seriously trouble the Dragons.
There is a first start for the Samoan-born prop Fosi Pala'amo at tighthead as Will Green is rested. Trevor Hogan is nursing a calf injury so Owen Finegan starts in the second row alongside another player who came on at Murrayfield, Cameron Jowitt.
The Auckland born Jowitt, whose mother hails from Samoa, is looking forward to his first full competitive start of the season.
"If I'm honest it does take a few days to get a defeat like the Edinburgh one out of your system," he said. "It's a very important period for us over the next 10 days or so. We know we've got to get two wins against the Dragons and Glasgow next week."
The back row remains intact.
The Dragons welcome back Gareth Wyatt after a rib injury, and he starts at fullback.
Richard Fussell replaces Aled Brew on the wing while Mike Hercus and Alex Walker form a new halfback partnership.
US international Paul Emerick and academy youngster Ashley Smith are named in the centre.
Up front, Kieran Crawford replaces Ben Daly, while there is a new secondrow partnership in Andrew Hall and Peter Sidoli. Joe Bearman has recovered from a hip injury and joins first time captain Jamie Ringer in the backrow.
Leinster to prevail.
LEINSTER: L Fitzgerald; G Brown, K Lewis, C Warner, D Hickie; F Contepomi, C Willis; R McCormack, B Blaney, F Pala'amo; C Jowitt, O Finegan; S Keogh, K Gleeson, J Heaslip. Replacements: R Corrigan, H Vermaas, A Byrnes, N Ronan, A Dunne, M Berne, R McCarron.
NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS: G Wyatt; N Brew, P Emerick, A Smith, R Fussell; M Hercus, A Walker; A Black, K Crawford, L Harrison; A Hall, P Sidoli; J Bearman, J Ringer (capt), N Fitisemanu. Replacements: B Daly, I George, B Griffiths, C Charvis, A Brew, C Warlow, J Ireland.
Referee: G Hannah (Scotland).
Most recent clashes: (September 2005, Donnybrook) Leinster 33 Dragons 14. (February 2006, Rodney Parade) Dragons 31 Leinster 18.
Leading points scorers: Leinster - Felipe Contepomi 55. Dragons - Ceri Sweeney 62.
Leading try scorers: Leinster - Denis Hickie 3. Dragons - Aled Brew 3.
Verdict: Leinster to win.
