Commenting on Ulster's crucial Magners League game, Coach Brian McLaughlin said: "It is great to get back to Magners League rugby. This is a really big game for us, and we are looking forward to playing again at Ravenhill, in-front of our fantastic home support. This will be our first fixture since our away win in Bath, at the end of January, so we will have to be very focused and play at our very best to beat this quality Dragons side.

"The supporters' in Bath were magnificent, and their role in our victory that day was massive. They lifted us, and kept us going, especially in the final 20 minutes, when we were under huge pressure. All of us really appreciated that and hope that we get the same again, come Friday night.

"The Dragons are on the same league points as us, they have won five and lost five, and they got one over on us in the first game of the season, in Wales, so we owe them one this Friday night. We must keep the ball in hand and play some strong running rugby. The players have been training hard over the Six Nations break and are eager to get a good match under their belts; it will be a great game."

Ulster currently sit in sixth place on the league table with Dragons occupying seventh position.

The team will be announced at 12noon on Thursday

Ulster Forwards: Tom Court, Bryan Young, B.J. Botha, Declan Fitzpatrick, Nigel Brady, Rory Best, Andi Kyriacou, Ryan Caldwell, Dan Tuohy, Ed O'Donoghue, Willie Faloon, David Pollock, Robbie Diack, Chris Henry, Thomas Anderson

Ulster Backs: Isaac Boss, Cillian Willis, Paul Marshall, Ian Porter, Ian Humphreys, Niall O'Connor, Paddy Wallace, Darren Cave, Ian Whitten, Simon Danielli, Timoci Nagusa, Andrew Trimble, Jamie Smith