Wales internationals Dan Lydiate and Luke Charteris return to the Dragons side to face Leinster at Rodney Parade on Sunday.
Charteris will take on the captain's armband in the absence of hooker Tom Willis as they look to close the gap on the league's pace-setters.
"It has been really fantastic to see the performances the team has put in whilst I've been away and there is a buzz around the camp which I've enjoyed getting back into," said Charteris, speaking to Wales Rugby Union.
"Obviously the wins against Edinburgh and Sale were great results after but even when we lost to Leicester in the Anglo-Welsh Cup, the performance was strong and the signs that we are really stepping up this season were there.
"Although Leinster may have rested some of their Irish internationals for this weekend, the Irish provinces have shown that they can afford to lose these players and still put out a very strong team which is why the Irish sides always figure at the top of the league at the end of the season and are always pushing in the Heineken Cup."
Meanwhile, Leinster Academy forwards Rhys Ruddock and Dominic Ryan will each make their senior debut for the province after impressing in recent British & Irish Cup fixtures in a line-up which displays a mix of youth and experience.
With Devin Toner locking down alongside Malcolm O'Kelly, the team will be led by hooker Bernard Jackman.
In the backline, Ireland 'A' back Fergus McFadden partners Eoin O'Malley - the third debutant in an exciting line up - at centre.
Chris Keane partners Ian McKinley at half back with David Kearney and Simon Keogh starting on the wings.
Form: The last five games between the two teams have all been won by the home side on the day, whilst Leinster's last win at Rodney Parade was 23-22 on 13 April 2007. Dragons have been victorious in two of their last three games in the Magners League, and have won seven in a row in all competitions at Rodney Parade since Munster won there on 7 March. Leinster's only defeat in their last six encounters in the Magners League was 14-16 at Ulster on 24 October. The Irishmen have won their last three matches against the Welsh regions.
The teams:
Dragons: 15 Jason Tovey, 14 Aled Brew, 13 Rhodri Gomer Davies, 12 Tom Riley, 11 Richard Fussell, 10 James Arlidge, 9 Wayne Evans, 8 Grant Webb, 7 Gavin Thomas, 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Luke Charteris (capt), 4 Rob Sidoli, 3 Pat Palmer, 2 Steve Jones, 1 Hugh Gustafson.
Replacements: 16 Duane Goodfield, 17 Peter Bracken, 18 Hoani MacDonald, 19 Adam Jones, 20 Martyn Thomas, 21 Will Harries, 22 Alex Walker.
Leinster: 15 Niall Morris, 14 David Kearney, 13 Eoin O'Malley, 12 Fergus McFadden, 11 Simon Keogh, 10 Ian McKinley, 9 Chris Keane, 8 Stephen Keogh, 7 Dominic Ryan, 6 Rhys Ruddock, 5 Malcolm O'Kelly, 4 Devin Toner, 3 CJ van der Linde, 2 Bernard Jackman (capt), 1 Ronan McCormack.
Replacements: 16 Richardt Strauss, 17 Mike Ross, 18 Trevor Hogan, 19 Paul Ryan, 20 Paul O'Donohoe, 21 Ian Madigan, 22 Michael Keating.
Date: Sunday, December 6
Kick-off: 17:05 GMT
Venue: Rodney Parade
Referee: Simon McDowell (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Phil Fear (Wales), Sean Brickell (Wales)
Television match official: Neil Ballard (Wales)
Assessor: Tony Lynch (Wales)
Comments
bluelion says...
What's happened Mike Ross? Came in with a great reputation from Quins, now he's on the bench for a reserve team.
Posted 17:16 04th December 2009