Palmer in to solve tight-head crisis

11:27am Friday 9th May 2008

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CARDIFF Blues Academy prop Patrick Palmer makes his Newport Gwent Dragons debut on permit in their final match of the season against Magners League champions Leinster at Rodney Parade tonight.

Palmer steps in to solve a Dragons crisis with all four tight heads unable to play - Rhys Thomas is in Ireland with the Wales squad while Lee Harrison, Gethin Robinson and Jamie Corsi are all injured, Harrison the most serious with a recurrence of the foot injury which kept him out for most of the season.

Hugh Gustafson, recovered from a back injury, is at loose head with Steve Jones at hooker, making an all-changed front row.

In fact, only skipper Colin Charvis and lock Luke Charteris remain from the pack who took the field against the Ospreys on Tuesday night.

Andy Hall starts at lock, openside James Harris makes only his second start of the season, while either Joe Bearman or Lewis Evans will play at number eight.

Bearman is still a doubt with a back injury while Michael Owen is out with an elbow problem which means he has played his last game for the Dragons as he is joining Saracens next season.

Wales Under-20 cap Jason Tovey, just 19, makes his home debut at outside half after a promising debut against the Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium at 10 and then a late call-up at full back in Dublin last week when Kevin Morgan pulled out with back spasms.

Ceri Sweeney, bound for Cardiff Blues, is on the bench while there is also a doubt about Rhodri Davies, Paul Emerick standing by in what would be his final appearance as well.

Leinster include their big three', Brian O'Driscoll, Shane Horgan and Girvan Dempsey, in what could be a cracking finale to the season.

Coach Paul Turner said: "Leinster will be on a high following last weekend and we will have to be at our best, but I'm sure if we receive the same support as we did against the Ospreys on Tuesday it will lift the team for our final game of the season."

Charvis said: "We welcome the champions to Rodney Parade positive that our win over the Ospreys has injected a confidence into the side.

"We are looking to enjoy the final game of the season and invite all our fans to join with us for what should be a great game.

"I thank them for all their support this season and am pleased that we could reward them with a win and Heineken Cup qualification this week."

Dragons: K Morgan, G Wyatt, R Davies or P Emerick, P Dollman, R Fussell, J Tovey, W Evans, H Gustafson, S Jones, P Palmer, A Hall, L Charteris, C Charvis (captain), J Bearman or L Evans, J Harris. Replacements: B Daly, A Black, A Jones, L Evans or R Parks, P Emerick or G Maule, C Sweeney, A Walker.

Leinster: G Dempsey, S Horgan, B O'Driscoll (captain), M Berne, L Fitzgerald, J Sexton, C Keane, C Healy, B Blaney, S Knoop, T Hogan, D Toner, C Jowitt, K McLaughlin, S Keogh. Replacements: B Jackman, R McCormack, M O'Kelly, R Leyden, C Whitaker, C Warner, G Brown. Kick off 7.10pm.