Dragons v Munster: Teams

Munster have handed the captaincy to Ronan O'Gara for the visit to Rodney Parade on Saturday.

O'Gara returns as one of three changes for the clash against the Dragons, with Ian Dowling having been ruled out through injury.

Billy Holland and Tommy O'Driscoll are also called into the starting XV, with flanker Alan Quinlan expecting a tough encounter.

"This is a big game for us," said Quinlan. "This is a very tight league, very competitive and our ambition is to be involved in the play offs.

"Our away form hasn't been good and that's something we're very aware of and looking to correct. But saying that Rodney Parade is never an easy place to go to get a result.

"Dragons have improved immensely from when we played them, they've beaten Leinster here and last time out they drew in Ravenhill. That makes them a very good side.

"I've no doubt they'll be up for this one big-time so we can expect nothing less than a game of huge intensity that will go right down to the wire."

The Dragons will be led by hooker Tom Willis, while Steve Jones has recovered from an abdominal injury to take up a place on the bench.

The Dragons: 15 Martyn Thomas, 14 Will Harries, 13 Matthew Watkins, 12 Ashley Smith, 11 Aled Brew, 10 Jason Tovey, 9 Wayne Evans, 8 Lewis Evans 7 Gavin Thomas, 6 Danny Lydiate, 5 Luke Charteris , 4 Adam Jones, 3 Ben Castle, 2 Tom Willis (c), 1 Hugh Gustafson.
Replacements: 16 Steve Jones, 17 Pat Palmer, 18 Rob Sidoli, 19 Hoani Macdonald, 20 Tom Riley, 21 James Arlidge, 22 James Leadbeater

Munster: 15 Paul Warwick, 14 Doug Howlett, 13 Lifiemi Mafi, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Denis Hurley, 10 Ronan O'Gara (capt), 9 Peter Stringer, 8 James Coughlan, 7 Tommy O'Donnell, 6 Alan Quinlan, 5 Billy Holland, 4 Mick O'Driscoll, 3 Tony Buckley, 2 Denis Fogarty, 1 Marcus Horan.
Replacements: 16 Damien Varley, 17 Julien Brugnaut, 18 Ian Nagle, 19 Nick Williams, 20 Duncan Williams, 21 Scott Deasy, 22 Ciaran O'Boyle