Dragons v Ulster: Teams
Ulster need just a losing bonus point at the Dragons to claim a semi-final spot in the Magners League play-offs.
Last Updated: 05/05/11 4:39pm
Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin sends his team into the final game of the season needing just a losing bonus point against the Dragons to the make the knock-out stages.
However, the Ulstermen will be going all-out for the win at Rodney Parade as that, coupled with a Leinster defeat against Glasgow, would secure a home semi-final spot in the Magners League.
All six final round games kick off at same time so there are many permutations for the play-offs; only Munster are certain of a home semi-final on the weekend of May 13/14.
Props Tom Court and Declan Fitzpatrick have returned to full fitness and will pack down alongside skipper Rory Best in the front row. Their return to action sees Paddy McAllister and Jerry Cronin named among the replacements.
Willie Faloon suffered a shoulder injury in training and is unavailable for selection so Robbie Diack is promoted from the bench to play number eight. As a result, Pedrie Wannenburg moves to blindside flanker and Chris Henry switches to the openside flank.
Cover
TJ Anderson, who will join Connacht in the summer, is given a position on the bench as back row cover.
The backline is unchanged from the win over Connacht at Ravenhill two weeks ago, with Darren Cave and Nevin Spence continuing their centre partnership.
Ireland internationals Stephen Ferris (knee), Paddy Wallace (thumb) and Andrew Trimble (thumb) remain unavailable for selection due to injury, as does BJ Botha (knee).
Meanwhile, following his sterling performance against the Blues last weekend, Dragons fly-half Steffan Jones has been given the nod at full-back.
In a largely unchanged side from the landmark victory against their local rivals, Pat Leach replaces centre Ashley Smith who is to be rested and Dan Way comes in for Ben Castle.
Dragons: 15 Stefan Jones, 14 Adam Hughes, 13 Tom Riley, 12 Pat Leach, 11 Aled Brew, 10 Jason Tovey, 9 Wayne Evans, 8 Toby Faletau, 7 Gavin Thomas, 6 Danny Lydiate, 5 Adam Jones, 4 Luke Charteris, 3 Dan Way, 2 Lloyd Burns, 1 Phil Price.
Replacements: 16 Tom Willis, 17 Hugh Gustafson, 18 Ben Castle, 19 Andrew Coombs, 20 Joe Bearman, 21 Matthew Watkins, 22 Jon Evans, 23 Mathew Jones.
Ulster: 15 Adam D'Arcy, 14 Craig Gilroy, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Nevin Spence, 11 Simon Danielli, 10 Ian Humphreys, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Robbie Diack, 7 Chris Henry, 6 Pedrie Wannenburg, 5 Dan Tuohy, 4 Johann Muller, 3 Declan Fitzpatrick, 2 Rory Best (c), 1 Tom Court.
Replacements: 16 Andy Kyriacou, 17 Paddy McAllister, 18 Jerry Cronin, 19 Tim Barker, 20 TJ Anderson, 21 Paul Marshall, 22 Ian Whitten, 23 C Gaston.
