Best keen to show he's back to his old robust self

MAGNERS LEAGUE/Ulster v Dragons:RORY BEST'S well-being represents a subplot to the central theme of tonight's Magners League game in Belfast. The Ulster hooker should start for Ireland tomorrow week at Twickenham following Jerry Flannery's suspension but first he must negotiate about 60 minutes or so at Ravenhill to further attune his body after a remarkable recovery from a serious neck injury.

He’s yet to play a full match – not because he can’t but because it’s been more sensible to strictly regulate game time – a state of affairs that’s unlikely to change tonight. Best will be keen to reinforce he’s back to his normal robust self, and that his legs and wind are improving with every outing.

McLaughlin is without internationals Stephen Ferris and Tom Court but can call upon centre Paddy Wallace. Number eight Robbie Diack returns to the first-team squad – he’s on the bench – after a long-term injury, having proved his fitness in a British and Irish Cup match last weekend. It’s a strong team and one that continues to evolve nicely as their superb away performance to Bath in Europe reinforced.

Ulster will feel that they owe the visitors a beating having lost their last three matches against the Dragons, including one at Ravenhill and finding themselves in conflict with a team who boasts the same number of points.

McLaughlin admitted: “It’s a vital game as the Dragons are sitting on the same points. Whenever we played them at Rodney Parade, at the start of the season, they outmuscled us; they beat us around the contact area, so we have a few scores to settle. The Dragons are a tricky side to beat, and they’re coming here off the back of a great win over Saracens.”

Andrew Trimble will see this game as an opportunity to impress the national coach so, too, players like Darren Cave, Ian Humphreys, Isaac Boss, Dan Tuohy and captain Chris Henry. There are no more A internationals this season so these matches carry added currency especially as Ulster no longer possess a European outlet.

The Dragons arrive with a couple of good wins in the LV Cup, particularly one over Saracens. Wales Under-20 pivot Jason Tovey is named at outhalf, while Martyn Thomas retains the fullback role. Secondrow Luke Charteris will return to captain the side with Welsh team-mate Danny Lydiate in the backrow.

Will Harries returns from playing Sevens in Las Vegas 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. The Welsh side may have an excellent record against Ulster in recent matches but that’s a statistic that should change tonight.

ULSTER: J Smith; A Trimble, D Cave, P Wallace, S Danielli; I Humphreys, I Boss; B Young R Best, BJ Botha; D Tuohy, E O’Donoghue; T Anderson, D Pollack, C Henry (capt). Replacements: N Brady, D Fitzpatrick, R Caldwell, R Diack, I Porter, I Whitten, T Nagusa.

DRAGONS: M Thomas; W Harries, T Riley, R Gomer Davies, A Brew; J Tovey, W Evans; H Gustafson, S Jones, P Palmer; R Sidoli, L Charteris; D Lydiate, G Thomas, G Webb. Replacements: T Willis, B Castle, A Jones, J Harris, M Watkins, J Arlidge, J Leadbeater.

Referee: P Allan (Scotland).

Last meeting: At Rodney Parade – Dragons 23 Ulster 6. Leading points scorers: Ulster – Ian Humphreys 83. Dragons – James Arlidge 62. Leading try scorers: Ulster – Simon Danielli 4. Dragons – Aled Brew.

Verdict: Ulster to win.