Wales international back in starting XV for Newport Gwent Dragons

After featuring off the bench twice for the Dragons in recent weeks, due to being released from Wales camp early because of a hamstring injury, the youngster is brought into the team by head coach Kingsley Jones to face Leinster.

Newport-born Morgan, who comes in to replace New Zealander Sam Beard (dead leg), partners Jack Dixon in the centre.

Morgan said: “Sam’s probably been the best centre we’ve had this season and I’ve learnt a lot from him. He is a player who makes those right decisions at the right time.

“Look at him in the first half against Edinburgh when Angus (O’Brien) made the line break then Sam had the opportunity to kick, he did and we scored.

“Second half I had a line break, didn’t kick and we didn’t score.

“That’s where I need to be. I’m quite modest and know I’ve got a lot to learn off the other players here.”

Along with Morgan, there is one other change in the backs as wing Adam Warren is named in the back three; joining fellow wing Pat Howard and fullback Carl Meyer.

There is no change in the half-backs as fly-half Angus O’Brien is named alongside scrum-half Tavis Knoyle.

The front row has two changes as loose head prop Phil Price is named alongside tight head prop Brok Harris and they are joined by hooker Elliot Dee.

The second row sees the return of Rynard Landman, who sat out last weekend’s match due to his wife giving birth. He is joined by Nick Crosswell.

The back row has two changes due to injuries, with flanker Nic Cudd and number 8 Harrison Keddie joining skipper Lewis Evans.

The replacements bench has three changes as Thomas Davies, Welsh international Cory Hill and Tom Prydie join Rhys Buckley, Lloyd Fairbrother, Sarel Pretorius and Geraint Rhys Jones.

The Men of Gwent are in high spirits as they have won four from four wins throughout all competitions at Rodney Parade and Morgan hopes to continue this streak away from home on Saturday.

“There’s a lot of smiles on faces and the momentum is key,” said the 21-year-old. “You see that at every level of rugby confidence gives you a head start.

“Leinster are a massive team with internationals and strength in depth so it will be a really challenging game, but we’ve shown we can win there before and there is no reason why we can’t do it again.”

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen welcomes a number of players back from international duty, while it could be a very special day for a few others who are in line to make their debuts off the bench.

In total there are three changes in the backs with another four in the pack.

Peter Dooley and Michael Bent continue at loose and tight head respectively but James Tracy comes in from the start having come off the bench last weekend at Parc y Scarlets.

There is a new second row pairing with Ross Molony and Hayden Triggs starting while in the back row there is a further change with Rhys Ruddock coming in for the injured Dominic Ryan, with Dan Leavy and Jack Conan continuing at open side flanker and No. 8.

In the backs Zane Kirchner comes in at full back, which moves captain Isa Nacewa to the left wing, and Adam Byrne continues on the right having scored a try in each of the last three games with Leinster.

With five tries to his name for the season UCD winger Byrne is third on the Guinness PRO12 tries scored table.

It's again a St. Michael's combination in the centre as Noel Reid and Rory O'Loughlin continue in the 12 and 13 jerseys, while in the half backs Luke McGrath and Joey Carbery both start, having made their international debuts during the recent autumn schedule.

On the bench two Leinster Academy players – Lansdowne's Max Deegan and Old Belvedere's Charlie Rock – are in line to make their Leinster senior debuts, while Jeremy Loughman is involved in a match day squad for the first time this season.

Leinster: Peter Dooley, James Tracy, Michael Bent, Ross Molony, Hayden Triggs, Rhys Ruddock, Dan Leavy, Jack Conan, Luke McGrath, Joey Carbery, Isa Nacewa (captain), Noel Reid, Rory O'Loughlin, Adam Byrne, Zane Kirchner.

Replacements: Richardt Strauss, Andrew Porter, Jeremy Loughman, Mike McCarthy, Max Deegan, Charlie Rock, Ross Byrne, Tom Daly.

Dragons: Carl Meyer, Pat Howard, Tyler Morgan, Jack Dixon, Adam Warren, Angus O’Brien, Tavis Knoyle; Phil Price, Elliot Dee, Brok Harris, Nick Crosswell, Rynard Landman, Lewis Evans (captain), Nic Cudd, Harrison Keddie.

Replacements; Rhys Buckley, Thomas Davies, Lloyd Fairbrother, Cory Hill, James Thomas, Sarel Pretorius, Geraint Rhys Jones, Tom Prydie.

Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR)

Assistant referees: Matteo Liperini (FIR), Stuart Douglas (IRFU)

Citing commissioner: John Cole (IRFU)

TMO: Stefano Penne (FIR)