Ulster make two changes

Hooker Paul Shields and openside Neil Best are the two changes in Alan Solomons' Ulster side to face Gwent Dragons at Ravenhill on Friday.

Neil McMillan has damaged his medial ligament and Matt Sexton, a late absentee last week, will sit on the bench alongside the likes of Paddy Wallace and Warren Brosnihan.

Other than that, Matt McCullough and Gary Longwell will start at second row and overseas players Rod Moore and Robbie Kempson will give Shields plenty of protection in the front row.

Ulster (v Gwent): B Cunningham; J Topping, S Mallon, P Steinmetz, T Howe; D Humphreys, N Doak; R Kempson, P Shields, R Moore, G Longwell, M McCullough, A Ward (Capt), N Best, R Wilson.

Replacements: M Sexton, S Best, M Mustchin, W Brosnihan, K Campbell, A Larkin, P Wallace.