Regime change can spur Ulster to badly needed win

Preview:Matt Williams will be adamant the hoopla surrounding his first match as the new Ulster head coach should not compromise the province's chances of recording a much-needed victory tonight in the Magners Celtic League.

Four points adrift at the bottom of the table, albeit with a game in hand on Connacht, Ulster simply cannot afford to lose any more matches at home for the remainder of the campaign, and that starts tonight.

The home side will be bolstered by the return from a medium-term injury of their number eight Stephen Ferris.

His athleticism, ballast and ball-carrying ability will provide the Ulster pack with an edge they have lacked in his absence.

Williams has elected to go with Bryan Young at loosehead, Declan Fitzpatrick at tighthead and - with Rory Best on the bench - Nigel Brady at hooker.

The back five, Ferris's return notwithstanding, retain a familiar look. Paddy Wallace may have signed a new two-year contract with the province and be part of the Ireland squad but he must content himself with a place on the bench as Williams opts for young Niall O'Connor at outhalf.

Wallace must be suffering from a severe case of splinters these days.

Isaac Boss takes the captaincy while the Australian coach has also rejigged the three-quarter line. Tommy Bowe's versatility is underlined by his switch to centre, where he will form a partnership with Paul Steinmetz.

Mark McCrea, a promising young wing, continues his education and is joined in the back three by the excellent Scot Simon Danielli and Australian Mark Bartholomeusz.

Williams has named an experienced bench that includes Justin Fitzpatrick, Matt McCullough, Bryn Cunningham and the Italian international Carlo del Fava.

Dragons arrive in Belfast boosted by a superb victory over Glasgow (18-16) in their last outing, at Firhill, a notoriously difficult venue at which to win.

Coach Paul Turner has made six changes to the team that faced Perpignan at Rodney Parade in the European Cup.

Adam Black and hooker Ben Daly are joined up front by the tighthead prop Lee Harrison, who has recovered from injury.

Richard Parks is also returning after an extended period in the treatment room but the pack will be without Colin Charvis and Joe Bearman.

Turner has elected to start with centre Ashley Smith and fullback Martyn Thomas after they proved their fitness in midweek: Aled Thomas and Phillip Dollman drop to the bench.

The Dragons beat Ulster 31-11 at Rodney Parade earlier in the season but will find the Irish province an altogether different prospect tonight.

Williams's arrival is bound to have raised morale, a new voice at training undoubtedly freshening up the regimen. He has had a limited time to work with his new charges but the Australian will have emphasised the virtues of discharging the basics well.

Ulster showed in defeat to Gloucester at Kingsholm - a match they arguably deserved to win - that they have rediscovered a cutting edge behind the scrum and much of their back play on that occasion centred on excellent execution and vision.

If they retain those qualities and are given a similar platform by the pack, then Williams should enjoy a triumphant bow in Belfast.

ULSTER: M Bartholomeusz; M McCrea, T Bowe, P Steinmetz, S Danielli; N O'Connor, I Boss (capt); B Young, N Brady, D Fitzpatrick; R Caldwell, J Harrison; N Best, K Dawson, S Ferris. Replacements: R Best, J Fitzpatrick, C Del Fava, M McCullough, P Marshall, P Wallace, B Cunningham.

DRAGONS: M Thomas; G Wyatt, P Emerick, A Smith, R Fussell; C Sweeney, A Williams; A Black, B Daly, L Harrison; A Jones, P Sidoli; A Hall, R Parks, M Owen (capt). Replacements: S Jones, J Corsi/Adam Brown, G Robinson, J Harris, P Dollman, A Thomas, W Evans.

Referee: N Owens (Wales).

Leading points scorers: Ulster- Paddy Wallace 27. Dragons- Ceri Sweeney 46.

Leading try scorers: Ulster- Tommy Bowe 2. Dragons- Gareth Wyatt, Martyn Thomas, Wayne Evans, Ceri Sweeney, Richard Mustoe 2 each.

Last meeting(October 2007): Dragons 31 Ulster 11.

Verdict: Ulster to win.

Ulster v Dragons Venue: Ravenhill Kick-off: 7.30 On TV: Setanta Ireland