WALES international Ross Moriarty has passed a head injury assessment to be in contention for a Dragons return against Leinster on Saturday, writes Chris Kirwan.

The number eight was forced off in the opening stages of the autumn finale against South Africa after a blow to his head at a ruck.

The 24-year-old was replaced by Dragons teammate Aaron Wainwright and did not return to the field at Principality Stadium.

However, after going through the return-to-play protocols he has been given the green light to return to action against the Guinness PRO14 champions (kick-off 5.15pm) and is in a 28-man squad named by head coach Bernard Jackman.

The boss names his line-up at midday and is mulling over whether to include his international contingent but hinted at Tuesday’s press conference that he would stick closely to the XV that triumphed 18-12 against Edinburgh.

The Wales contingent of lock and captain Cory Hill, hooker Elliot Dee, tighthead Leon Brown, back row forwards Moriarty and Wainwright, centre Tyler Morgan and wing/full-back Hallam Amos are all included.

Brown was a replacement against the Scots on Sunday, backing up in-form Lloyd Fairbrother, while Morgan and Amos were released by Warren Gatland to start.

Jackman will make two changes to his 23-man squad after leaving hooker Rhys Lawrence and versatile back rower James Benjamin, who were both unused subs, out of his extended group because of the returns of Dee, Wainwright and Moriarty.

Along with the Wales players, scrum-half Tavis Knoyle, centre Jack Dixon and former Springboks utility back Zane Kirchner are the other inclusions in the 28-strong group that did not feature against Edinburgh.

Dragons: J Williams, J Rosser, H Amos, Z Kirchner, T Morgan, A Warren, J Sage, J Dixon, J Tovey, A Robson, R Williams, R Davies, T Knoyle, R Bevington, A Jarvis, R Hibbard, E Dee, L Fairbrother, L Brown, L Evans, R Landman, B Nansen, C Hill, H Keddie, N Cudd, O Griffiths, R Moriarty, A Wainwright.