Ravenhill Stadium will play host to the Dragons on Friday

Ulster have named a 31-man squad, of which the starting xv will be picked to face Newport Gwent Dragons in a Magners league replay on Friday 18 March. Ulster’s game against the Dragons was originally due to be played at the beginning of December but fell foul to frosty weather conditions.

Irish Internationals Rory Best, Andrew Trimble, Tom Court and Paddy Wallace are unavailable this week, ahead of Ireland’s final Six Nations match against England on Saturday while Ian Humphreys remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.

BJ Botha and Stephen Ferris continue their rehab from elbow and knee injuries respectively but on a more positive note, Dan Tuohy is included in the extended squad looking close to returning from rugby after recovering from a quad tear.

Ulster currently occupy fifth place in the Magners League table with ambitions of making a play off place.

Tickets issued for the December match are valid for Friday night’s game. Tickets for the match which kicks off at 19.05 are available to purchase from www.ulsterrugby.com

Ulster Rugby would advise supporters coming to the game (gates open 5.30pm) to avoid parking in the immediate vicinity of the Ravenhill Grounds where restrictions may be in place, and instead make use of the Park ‘n’ Ride facilities at Pirrie Park and along Montgomery Road.

Ulster Squad Forwards

Declan Fitzpatrick, Bryan Young, Adam Macklin, Paddy McAllister, Jerry Cronin, Nigel Brady, Andi Kyriacou, Neil McComb, Dan Tuohy, Tim Barker, Johann Muller, Willie Faloon, Robbie Diack, Chris Henry, TJ Anderson, Pedrie Wannenburg

Ulster Squad Backs

Adam D’Arcy, Jamie Smith, Tommy Seymour, David McIlwaine, Craig Gilroy, Mark McCrea, Luke Marshall, Conor Gaston, Nevin Spence, Ian Whitten, Darren Cave, Paddy Jackson, Niall O’Connor, Paul Marshall, Ruan Pienaar