After a three week break the Dragons return to Celtic League action with a match against Ulster.
Last season the sides met on four occasions with the series drawn two apiece and the matches going the way of the home team. The two sides met in pre season and it was again the home team, The Dragons who ran out winners by 30-7. However, The Dragons bucked the home advantage trend when they produced arguably one of their best performances of the season at Ravenhill earlier in the season and won by 28 points to 21.
“Ulster are a good side who whilst not reaching the success of last season remain a threat,” commented captain Jason Forster. “They claimed the scalps of Gloucester and Stade Francais at home proving they are a team who can compete and perform against the best sides. They will be buoyed by the return of fly-half David Humphreys who orchestrates the game so well for the team and we will have to maintain our discipline for the entire match and not give away any penalties as he can land kicks from anywhere on the field. The feel good factor is very much apparent in Welsh and Irish rugby with both teams having won two from two in this seasons Six Nations that will have a knock on effect for the game with our respective regional sides on Friday night.”
The Dragons welcome Welsh international players Steve Jones and Luke Charteris back into the team. The Dragons are awaiting on the fitness of scrum half Gareth Baber and should he not pass a fitness test then Newport’s James Ireland will play in the no.9 position. On the replacements bench Matthew Veater and Pontypool Captain Cae Trayhern are named.
“We haven’t had a Celtic League match for three weeks so we are looking forward to getting back into playing competitive matches,” commented Chris Anderson. “We played the Stormers earlier in the month which gave us some valuable match practice and the opportunity to bring in some younger players into the squad which should stand us in good stead for the run in to the end of the season. Ulster are a very strong side and have a number of talented players in their team. They have David Humphreys who controls the game so well for them and an exciting winger in Tommy Bowe. In the forwards they have a strong flanker in Neil Best although they will miss their talismanic leader Andy Ward. We have a lot to play for still this season with qualification for the Heineken Cup still not assured and we want to finish not only above another Welsh region but also in a top four position in the league so we have a home draw in the Celtic Cup competition.”
Dragons Team
Percy Montgomery, Gareth Wyatt, Nathan Brew, Steve Winn, Ben Breeze, Craig Warlow, Gareth Baber/James Ireland, Rod Snow, Steve Jones, Chris Anthony, Luke Charteris, Peter Sidoli, Jamie Ringer, Jason Forster (c), Rhys Oakley.
Replacements James Richards, Adam Black, Rhys Thomas, Matthew Veater, Cae Trayhern, Sione Tuipulotu, Jonathan Bryant.
