BACK ROW NICK Timoney will play from the start for the first time as Ulster welcome Bernard Jackman’s Dragons to Kingspan Stadium tomorrow (kick-off 19.35, BBC).

The Leinster native will win his fourth provincial caps after three appearances late last season, he slots into the back row between captain Chris Henry and Clive Ross

Iain Henderson will also make his first appearance of the campaign, starting among the replacements after an impressive but but Test-less Lions tour.

Stuart McCloskey and Jacob Stockdale remain in place in the back-line, but a Charles Piutau returns from a hamstring issue to bolster the ranks behind Tommy Bowe, Darren Cave and the rotated half-back pairing of Pete Nelson and Paul Marshall.

Jackman meanwhile, has also made a raft of changes in the wake of last weekend’s win over Connacht – likely with an eye on next week’s home fixture against the Kings.

New signing, US international Thretton Palamo comes straight into the starting line-up to partner Pat Howard in the centre.

 Ulster

15. Charles Piutau
14. Tommy Bowe
13. Darren Cave
12. Stuart McCloskey
11. Jacob Stockdale
10. Peter Nelson
9. Paul Marshall

1. Kyle McCall
2. Rob Herring
3. Rodney Ah You
4. Robbie Diack
5. Alan O’Connor
6. Clive Ross
7. Chris Henry (Capt.)
8. Nick Timoney

Replacements
16. John Andrew
17. Andy Warwick
18. Wiehahn Herbst
19. Iain Henderson
20. Matty Rea
21. Dave Shanahan
22. Brett Herron
23. Rob Lyttle

Dragons

15 Carl Meyer
14 Adam Hughes
13 Thretton Palamo
12 Pat Howard
11 George Gasson
10 Dorian Jones
9 Owain Leonard

1 Thomas Davies
2 Gerard Ellis
3 Lloyd Fairbrother
4 Matthew Screech
5 Rynard Landman
6 Max Williams
7 Ollie Griffiths (Capt.)
8 Robson Blake

Replacements:

16. Rhys Buckley
17. Phil Price
18. Brok Harris
19. Joe Davies
20. Lennon Greggains
21. Dane Blacker
22. Angus O’Brien
23. Will Talbot-Davies.

Subscribe to The42 podcasts here:

Organisers urge a more attractive playing style as Super Rugby returns to 15 teams

Freedom breeding confidence for Munster’s Sweetnam