NEWPORT Gwent Dragons will face a host of Irish stars in tomorrow's Celtic League clash against Leinster at Lansdowne Road.

It will be a huge challenge for coach Chris Anderson's men who are without nine leading players because of Wales squad commitments and injury.

Leinster, the first team to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup this season, field a star-studded back division packed with internationals.

The backs read almost like a who's who of Irish rugby as Girvan Dempsey, Shane Horgan, Brian O'Driscoll, Gordon D'Arcy and Denis Hickie are all chosen with New Zealander David Holwell partnered by Guy Easterby at half back.

There is a slight doubt about O'Driscoll, who has a minor niggle but is expected to pass a late fitness test. Argentina ace Felipe Contepomi is standing by should the Ireland and potential British Lions captain fail to make it.

Up front Shane Byrne, Leo Cullen, Malcolm O'Kelly and Eric Miller return after last week's shock defeat by Borders, though most of the backs didn't play either.

The only notable omission is number eight Victor Costello, who is on the bench, with Miller moving there and Niall Ronan, who has impressed recently, at flanker.

Leinster team: G Dempsey, S Horgan, B O'Driscoll/F Contepomi, G D'Arcy, D Hickie, D Holwell, G Easterby, R Corrigan (captain), S Byrne, E Byrne, L Cullen, M O'Kelly, C Potts, E Miller, N Ronan. Replacements from: R Nebbett, D Blaney, B Gissing, A McCullen, V Costello, B O'Riordan, D Quinlan, K Lewis, G Brown. Kick off 4.45pm.