WALES hooker Elliot Dee returns as a starter for the Dragons’ United Rugby Championship clash with Leinster at Rodney Parade on Sunday.

The 27-year-old from Newbridge did not feature in pre-season because of a calf niggle and sat out the 27-23 loss to the Ospreys on opening weekend.

Dee returns to the heart of the front row for the home encounter with the Irish heavyweights, the only change made by director of rugby Dean Ryan to his XV.

Ellis Shipp and Richard Hibbard shared the duties at hooker against the Ospreys but Taylor Davies, who is back for a second loan spell from the Scarlets, gets the nod as Dee’s cover.

Ryan fields an all-international pack with six Wales players joined by Fijian tighthead Mesake Doge and Aki Seiuli, who is uncapped but was in the Samoa squad in the summer.

There is one other change in the 23 with centre/wing Adam Warren making a welcome competitive return after 10 months out as a replacement.

The stalwart suffered a groin injury against Benetton in November and comes onto the bench in place of former Wales and Lions centre Jamie Roberts.

Leinster, who hammered the Bulls 31-3 in Dublin last weekend, are captained by James Ryan and flanker Josh van der Flier will make his 100th club appearance.

They also include Garry Ringrose, Jamison Gibson-Park, Andrew Porter and Rhys Ruddock in a formidable XV while Ireland loosehead Cian Healy once again covers tighthead on the bench.

Dragons: J Lewis; J Holmes, J Dixon, A Owen, J Olowofela; S Davies, L Jones; A Seiuli, E Dee, M Doge, W Rowlands, B Carter, R Moriarty (captain), O Griffiths, A Wainwright.

Replacements: T Davies, G Bateman, C Coleman, J Maksymiw, T Basham, R Williams, A Warren, I Davies.

Leinster: H Keenan; R Russell, G Ringrose, C O'Brien, R O'Loughlin; R Byrne, J Gibson-Park; A Porter, D Sheehan, M Ala'alatoa, R Molony, J Ryan, R Ruddock, J van der Flier, M Deegan.

Replacements: J Tracy, E Byrne, C Healy, R Baird, D Leavy, N McCarthy, C Frawley, S Penny.

Referee: AJ Jacobs (South Africa)