Rugby:Roger Wilson is in line to make his first appearance back with Ulster away to the Dragons on Friday after recovering from the hamstring tear he picked up playing for Northampton at the end of last season.
The number eight has impressed for the second-string Ravens side in recent weeks, scoring two tries in last Sunday’s defeat to Bristol.
Declan Fitzpatrick has also been named in an extended Ulster squad. The prop had suffered a reoccurrence of a medial ligament injury prior to the Connacht match earlier this month but has undertaken full training over the past week.
Stephen Ferris has been included after missing the last two games with a back injury, while outhalf Niall O’Connor has also been added to the panel.
Johann Muller has been ruled out for eight weeks after sustaining a thumb injury in last Friday’s Heineken Cup win over Glasgow, with Chris Henry set to deputise as captain in the absence of the South African lock.
Ulster are the only team in Europe with an unbeaten record and have won five of their last six fixtures with Welsh regions, including on their two visits to Wales so far this campaign.
Dragons’ only win in their last seven matches in all competitions was a 32-12 success at home to Edinburgh in round five of the Pro12 league. The Welsh outfit have an even worse record against Irish provinces, winning just one of their last 14 encounters.
That success did come over Ulster though, just over 12 months ago when they registered a 22-9 win at Rodney Parade. Ulster has managed only one victory at Rodney Parade since 2006.
ULSTER (Squad to face Dragons, Rodney Parade, Friday, 7.05) - Forwards (15):Rory Best, Nigel Brady, Tom Court, Callum Black, Declan Fitzpatrick, Adam Macklin, John Afoa, Lewis Stevenson, Dan Tuohy, Iain Henderson, Stephen Ferris, Mike McComish, Chris Henry (capt), Nick Williams, Roger Wilson.
Backs (11):Paul Marshall, Ruan Pienaar, Niall O'Connor, Paddy Jackson, Paddy Wallace, Luke Marshall, Darren Cave, Andrew Trimble, Tommy Bowe, Craig Gilroy, Jared Payne.
