Preview: Ulster v Dragons

Rory Best makes his Ulster return starting as hooker, after recovering from injury, in-place of Nigel Brady who starts on the bench.

Rory Best makes his Ulster return starting as hooker, after recovering from injury, in-place of Nigel Brady who starts this match on the bench.

With Stephen Ferris away on international duty, TJ Anderson pulls on the number six jersey. Ian Humphreys returns to the starting line-up at out half. Chris Henry will once again be captain.

Commenting on the Magners League clash, Ulster Coach Brian McLaughlin said: “It's a vital game for us tomorrow night. The Dragons are sitting on the same points as us in the League, so it's a game that we must win.

“Whenever we played them at Rodney Parade, at the start of the season, they out-muscled us; they beat us around the contact area, so we have a few scores to settle. I'm hopeful on Friday night, at Ravenhill, that we can come out and show how much we've improved, as the season has progressed.

Meanwhile, Wales U20 star Jason Tovey is set to start at fly-half for the Dragons following the strong performances in the LV= Cup last month, with Martyn Thomas retaining the number fifteen shirt..

Welsh lock Luke Charteris will return to captain the Dragons with Welsh team-mate Danny Lydiate also set to start in the back row.

Following his strong performances against both the Ospreys and Saracens, Will Harries returns from the Las Vegas of the Sevens circuit with Wales to start on the wing.

It's all change on the centres as Tom Riley comes in for Matthew Watkins and Rhodri Gomer Davies replaces Ashley Smith at twelve.

Ulster: 15 Jamie Smith, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Paddy Wallace, 11 Simon Danielli, 10 Ian Humphreys, 9 Isaac Boss, 8 Chris Henry (c), 7 David Pollock, 6 TJ Anderson, 5 Ed O'Donoghue, 4 Daniel Tuohy, 3 BJ Botha, 2 Rory Best, 1 Bryan Young.
Replacements: 16 Nigel Brady, 17 Declan Fitzpatrick, 18 Ryan Caldwell, 19 Robbie Diack, 20 Ian Porter, 21 Ian Whitten, 22 Timoci Nagusa.

Dragons: 15 Martyn Thomas, 14 Will Harries, 13 Tom Riley, 12 Rhodri Gomer Davies, 11 Aled Brew, 10 Jason Tovey, 9 Wayne Evans, 8 Grant Webb, 7 Gavin Thomas, 6 Danny Lydiate, 5 Luke Charteris, 4 Rob Sidoli, 3 Pat Palmer, 2 Steve Jones, 1 Hugh Gustafson.
Replacements: 16 Tom Willis, 17 Ben Castle, 18 Adam Jones, 19 James Harris, 20 Matthew Watkins, 21 James Arlidge, 22 James Leadbeater.

Date: Friday, February 19
Venue: Ravenhill
Kick-off: 19.05 GMT
Referee: Peter Allan (Scotland)