‘I could have carried on playing [after the Tri Nations], but I’m now refreshed and ready for the Dragons,’ said Montgomery. ‘Demands on players are high and it’s important they are handled properly by club and country, but ultimately it’s about managing yourself.’
The Dragons have won their last two matches against the Scarlets and Glasgow Rugby, and are hoping to preserve their 100% winning record at Rodney Parade in the Celtic League – a run which now stretches for a dozen matches.
Leinster are unbeaten in second place in the table with a three match winning run in the Celtic League following victories over Ulster, Munster and The Borders. Leinster have won just one of their last five matches in Wales in the Celtic League but have tasted victory at Rodney Parade before, when they beat Newport RFC 26-21 in November 2001.
Last season the two sides scored a combined 144 points and 18 tries in the two encounters, each match being won by the respective home side.
Dragons: K Morgan; G Wyatt, P Montgomery, S Tuipulotu, N Brew; C Sweeney, G Cooper; R Snow, S Jones, R Thomas, I Gough, P Sidoli, R Bryan , J Ringer, M Owen (capt)
Replacements: J Richards, A Black, C Anthony, R Beattie, R Oakley, S Winn, G Baber
Leinster: Dempsey; Horgan, O’Driscoll, Warner, Brown; Contepomi, Easterby; Corrigan (capt), Byrne, Nebbett, O’Kelly, Gissing, Miller, Jennings, Costello
Replacements: Coyle, AN Other, Potts, Dillon, Lewis, O’Meara, Hickey
Referee: Rob Dickson (Scotland)
