NEWPORT draft in 21-year-old openside flanker Gareth Gravell, pictured, for Friday night's Celtic League quarter-final against Leinster at Donnybrook.

Regular Jason Forster has been left out to give him more chance to recover from a groin strain which has troubled him for some time.

Gravell is in his first full season of senior rugby and this will be his biggest game, though he also played against Munster in the Celtic League pool match.

He is from Burry Port in West Wales (no relation to Ray) and was capped by Wales at under-21 level last season.

"He is a specialist fetcher and he's been playing very good rugby. He showed a lot of promise against Munster," said coach Ian McIntosh.

Newport also bring in Dale Burn at scrum half.

Ofisa Tonu'u has returned to New Zealand, where his mother died yesterday morning.

"Dale had a good outing against Uruguay and we're lucky to have him to take over," said McIntosh. "It's all about the team, we should be able to change one or two positions and not affect things."

Other changes from the previous Leinster clash are at tight head prop and lock where Adrian Garvey and fit-again Ian Gough both start.

With skipper Simon Raiwalui recovered from a neck injury, Mike Voyle, just back from a break in New Zealand, is on the bench.

"We're lucky to have three top guys there, it doesn't matter who plays," said McIntosh.

Also on the bench is Wales A centre Matthew Watkins, though one place there is left open. Youngsters Nathan Brew, Hal Luscombe and Llyr Lane also travel.

Leinster are waiting on the fitness of prop Emmett Byrne, who suffered a back injury after going on as a replacement against New Zealand.

Team: M Pini, M Mostyn, A Marinos, J Pritchard, B Breeze, S Howarth, D Burn, R Snow, J Richards, A Garvey, S Raiwalui (captain), I Gough, P Buxton, A Powell, G Gravell.

Replacements: M Watkins, J Strange, A N Other, C Anthony, P Young, M Voyle, J Powell. Reserves travelling: N Brew, H Luscombe, L Lane, C Jones. Kick off 7.35pm.