The Dragons travel to the Kingspan Stadium to take on high-flying Ulster with Les Kiss’ men unbeaten in the opening three rounds of the Guinness PRO14. What’s at stake? Ulster will be looking for a fourth straight win to kick off their league campaign following wins over the Toyota Cheetahs, Benetton Rugby and Scarlets. The Irish province are level at the top of Conference B with Leinster and will be hoping to continue their impressive start to the campaign. The Dragons meanwhile beat Connacht 21-8 last time out to earn their first victory of the new season after defeats to Edinburgh and Leinster. Team news (Ulster): Nick Timoney will make his first appearance of the season after being named at No.8 with British & Irish Lion Iain Henderson named on the bench. Darren Cave will make his first start of the season when he combines with last week’s Man of the Match, Stuart McCloskey, in the midfield. Charles Piutau has recovered from a hamstring injury to take his place at full-back. Team news (Dragons): Head coach Bernard Jackman has made wholesale changes to the side that beat Connacht last week with newly signed Thretton Palamo set for his debut. The front row have all been promoted from the bench to the starting XV as props Thomas Davies and Lloyd Fairbrother are named alongside hooker Gerard Ellis. The second row sees Matthew Screech get the nod as Rynard Landman retains his position, whilst the back row has two changes made to it. Max Williams and Robson Blake get their first starts alongside Welsh International flanker Ollie Griffiths who captains the side. Talking points: Ulster’s impressive victory over reigning champions Scarlets demonstrated they will be a team to watch in the Guinness PRO14 this season. And Kiss is confident there is even more to come from his squad as they prepare to take on a Dragons squad still adapting to new head coach Jackman’s ways. “I don’t think it was a 10 out of 10 from us but it’s a sign that we’re on the right track. We can’t lose the run of ourselves,” Kiss said. “It’s a good marker but there are work-ons.” Key Battle: Darren Cave v Thretton Palamo Cave makes his first start of the season at outside centre and faces another debutant in Palamo. The versatile USA back has been signed by the Dragons from Bristol Rugby this week as injury cover and is thrust straight into the starting XV. Key Stat: Ulster are unbeaten in their last nine Guinness PRO14 fixtures played in Belfast – a sequence that includes a 24-all draw with Cardiff Blues in Round 19 last season. Did you know? Ulster have won their last four fixtures against Dragons since the Welsh regions’ 26-22 victory at Rodney Parade in March 2015. Ulster: C Piutau, T Bowe, D Cave, S McCloskey, J Stockdale, P Nelson, P Marshall, K McCall, R Herring, R Ah You, R Diack, A O’Connor, C Ross, C Henry, N Timoney Replacements: J Andrew, A Warwick, W Herbst, I Henderson, M Rea, D Shanahan, B Herron, R Lyttle. Dragons: C Meyer, A Hughes, T Palamo, P Howard, G Gasson, D Jones, O Leonard, T Davies, G Ellis, L Fairbrother, M Screech, R Landman, M Williams, O Griffiths, R Blake. Replacements: R Buckley, P Price, B Harris, J Davies, L Greggains, D Blacker, A O’Brien, W Talbot-Davies. TV: BBC Sport NI (KO 7.35pm) Match officials: Referee: Dan Jones (WRU), AR1: Ian Davies (WRU), AR2: Adam Jones (WRU) TMO: John Mason (WRU) Guinness PRO14 Final 2018 Ticket Information: Fans can save up to 20% on selected tickets, and prices start at just €30 for adults and €5 for children, and be booked via www.ticketmaster.ie
