Matthew Dalton straight away gives away another penalty in front of the posts.

More worrying is the fact Rob Herring has made a head-on-head contact with a Dragons player. This will be checked.

The big second-row Matthew Dalton gives away a sill penalty outsdie the Ulster 22, lifting the ball at the back of the Dragons ruck having never been onside.

Dragons kick to the corner.

Another penalty for Ulster though on the edge of the Dragons' 22. Jack Murphy punts to the corner once more.

Ulster win the lineout and carry through the middle with James McNabney taking it into contact, but he can't get the ball to ground 10-metres out and the referee blows for a Dragons scrum. Poor decision making by Ulster.

Rhodri Williams at scrum-half clears to safety after the scrum, Ulster lineout 30-metres out.

And an infringement at the ineout gives the visitors a penalty, corner called.

Ulster are right back on the Dragons line.

Strong running through the field sees a kick through and Dragons are dragged behind their own line for a five-metre scrum

The Dragons get us underway at Rodney Parade.

Ulster's Nathan Doak says his team-mate and fellow scrum-half John Cooney has been an inspiration to him and will be missed by everyone connected with the Irish province.

It was revealed earlier this week that Cooney's eight-year stay with Ulster would end at the conclusion of this season with a move to French club Brive.

"John has been great - an unbelievable team-mate and an unbelievable friend to me," Doak told BBC Sport NI.

"He'll definitely be missed in the changing room and around the place. Probably mostly by me because it's been him and me for a long period out kicking on a Wednesday, doing stuff together, testing each other.

"He's someone I've looked up to. His mentality is probably the first thing that I've noticed from him, his self confidence, belief in himself."

Image source, Getty Images

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy says his side "need to win" to keep their hopes of finishing in the top eight of the United Rugby Championship alive.

A top-eight finish will not only secure a play-off position but also a place in the Champions Cup for next season.

Ulster sit 12th after a disappointing campaign but are just two points off a play-off position with six matches remaining.

"If we want to keep our hopes up of playing at the business end of the season then we need to win, there's no doubt," said Murphy.

"The Dragons' league position shows they are at the bottom but they have been very competitive, especially at home."

Image source, Inpho

Aaron Wainwright, Elliot Dee and Rhodri Williams make immediate returns after Wales' disappointing Six Nations.

The Wales trio come into a side 17 points adrift of Zebre at the bottom of the United Rugby Championship table.

Wainwright returns at number eight as Harri Keddie reappears at open-side flanker after being out injured since October.

Dee is back at hooker and Williams at scrum-half, partnering Will Reed while short-term signing Josh Thomas could appear off the bench as back-up fly-half.

Ulster make three changes from the win over Scarlets two weeks ago, including the return of prop Tom O'Toole.

O'Toole takes over from Scott Wilson, who drops to the bench, with David McCann replacing Matty Rea in the back row and Nathan Doak in for Conor McKee at scrum-half.

McKee made his competitive debut when starting against Scarlets but won't feature at Rodney Parade as John Cooney - whose departure at the end of the season was announced earlier this week - is named on the bench.

Doak will partner Ulster Academy fly-half Jack Murphy in the half-backs as Aidan Morgan is included in the replacements.

Dragons: Huw Anderson, Rio Dyer, Joe Westwood, Aneurin Owen (capt), Ashton Hewitt, Will Reed, Rhodri Williams; Rodrigo Martinez, Elliot Dee, Chris Coleman, Matthew Screech, George Nott, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Harrison Keddie, Aaron Wainwright.

Replacements: Brodie Coghlan, Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths, Paula Latu, Steve Cummins, Taine Basham, Dane Blacker, Josh Thomas, Jared Rosser.

Ulster: Moore; Lowry, Hume, McCloskey, Stockdale; Murphy, Doak; Reid, Herring, O'Toole; O'Connor (capt), Dalton; McCann, Timoney, McNabney.

Replacements: Andrew, Crean, Wilson, Treadwell, Crothers, Cooney, Morgan, Ward.

Referee: Griffin Colby (SARU)

Image source, BBC Sport

Good afternoon and welcome to our coverage of the United Rugby Championship game between the Dragons and Ulster at Rodney Parade.

The hosts sit marooned at the foot of the table with just eight points to show from their 12 matches to date while Ulster lie 14th in the table with a victory a 'must' for the Irish province to maintain their hopes of achieving the top eight finish which would ensure qualification for the end-of-season play-offs and next season's Champions Cup.

Plenty on the line then and we'll bring you all the action as it unfolds with our live text commentary. Stay with us to keep across all the drama as it unfolds. Glad to have your company.