The light show at the Affidea Stadium welcomes the two teams out on to the filed!

Matthew Screech leads out the Dragons on his 200th appearance while James Hume does likewise for Ulster on his 100th cap.

Ulster aren't the only side coming into this evening looking to draw a line under last season.

Dragons finished rock bottom of the United Rugby Championship in 2024-25, 20 points adrift of Zebre, after suffering 17 defeats in 18 matches.

Their only victory came on the opening weekend of the season against Ospreys and they aim to end the losing streak against Ulster in Belfast on Friday (20:05 BST).

Filo Tiatia, who took over from Dai Flanagan after the first block of last season, has brought in defence coach Dale MacLeod, who bullishly believes Dragons can target a top-eight finish.

The head coach, whose only win since taking the reins was at Newcastle in the Challenge Cup, is more cautious in his predictions.

"Last season was last season, and it's turning over a new leaf in terms of what we want to achieve together," Tiatia said.

"We've had two pre-season games, we've improved in different areas, and we've still got lots to work on."

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Image source, Inpho

After something of an annus horribilis for Ulster in 2024-25, centre James Hume insists they do not "want a repeat of last season" this time around.

In a campaign blighted by injuries and inconsistency last year, Ulster missed out of the URC play-offs and qualification for the Investec Champions Cup and Hume says there is a determination within the squad to make up for last season.

"There are so many positives, and the boys are eager to learn again this year," said the 27-year-old before making his 100th appearance for the province this evening.

"I don't think we want a repeat of last season, so everyone is in the same boat and just want to put it out there in front of the fans."

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Image source, Inpho

There's already been one Irish province in action this evening.

Champions Leinster were in Cape Town to face the Stormers with Leo Cullen's men being held scoreless in a 35-0 defeat in a dreadful start to their defence of the URC title

Jonathan Bradley
BBC Sport NI at Affidea Stadium

New signage at Ravenhill this season but how much else has changed?

Supporters making their way to the ground this evening will be hoping the answer to that question is plenty.

After last year's URC campaign, it'll be interesting to see whether the mood from a year ago seeps into this season.

As Richie Murphy's second full season at the helm begins, it's hard to avoid the conclusion that the key will be star players spending more time on the pitch than they did last time around.

Image source, BBC Sport

A little unusually for the first game of the season, there is no debuts among the Ulster XV.

New signing Juarno Augustus, the powerful number eight who has joined from Northampton Saints, will have to wait for his bow after being named on the bench.

Wallaby prop Angus Bell, meanwhile, does not arrive in Belfast until after Australia's autumn internationals.

Here's a reminder of tonight's starting line-up for the hosts.

Image source, Inpho

It is a mere 55 days since the British and Irish Lions finished their victorious series with Australia down under but the United Rugby Championship is back this evening for the 2025-26 campaign.

Ulster, who endured a campaign to forget last time around, will get under way in Belfast this evening, hosting Dragons at the newly renamed Affidea Stadium.

We'll keep you right up to date with how Richie Murphy's men fare in their opener - kick-off is about 20 minutes away.