GAVIN Henson is charged with pulling the strings for a Dragons back line bolstered by the return of wings Ashton Hewitt and Hallam Amos for the Guinness PRO14 opener against Leinster.

The former Wales and Lions playmaker has recovered from a dead leg to start at fly-half in the clash at Rodney Parade tomorrow (kick-off 3.15pm).

He will hope to spark a set of three-quarters that features Hewitt, in his first competitive outing since suffering a concussion against the Ospreys on New Year’s Day, and Amos, who last played against Australia for Wales in November when he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury attempting to score.

Lock Cory Hill, who didn’t feature in pre-season because of his summer exploits with Wales and the Lions, returns to bolster the pack with Brok Harris playing loosehead and Leon Brown selected at tighthead.

Zane Kirchner makes his Dragons bow from full-back against the side he joined from while young prospects lock/flanker Max Williams and wing Jared Rosser are poised for their debuts from the bench.

Jack Dixon gets the nod to partner Wales centre Tyler Morgan - Sam Beard suffered a muscle strain in training this week - while Matthew Screech is preferred to Rynard Landman, who is back from concussion, alongside Hill in the second row.

Leinster are without a glut of Ireland internationals but still field a formidable side with Australia international Scott Fardy making his debut from the second row.

Isa Nacewa captains the side from centre while Rob Kearney enjoys his first outing since January.

Cian Healy, Sean Cronin, Michael Bent and Devin Toner join Fardy to form a strong tight five while Josh van der Flier leads the charge from flanker.

Dragons: Z Kirchner, A Hewitt, T Morgan, J Dixon, H Amos, G Henson, C Davies, B Harris, E Dee, L Brown, M Screech, C Hill, J Thomas, J Benjamin, H Keddie. Replacements: R Buckley, L Garrett, L Fairbrother, R Landman, M Williams, T Knoyle, A O'Brien, J Rosser.

Leinster: R Kearney, A Byrne, R O’Loughlin, I Nacewa (captain), J Larmour, R Byrne, J Gibson-Park, C Healy, S Cronin, M Bent, D Toner, S Fardy, D Leavy, J van der Flier, M Deegan. Replacements: J Tracy, E Byrne, A Porter, J Ryan, J van der Flier, N McCarthy, C Marsh, B Daly

Referee: Mike Adamson