The Ulster team Ulster are hopeful that Paddy Wallace and Dan Tuohy will be released from the Ireland squad to face Dragons in the RaboDirect PRO12 on Friday at Ravenhill.
Both players have been named in the line up against the Welsh region, while Simon Danielli is named on the bench following his release from Scotland duty.
Regular captain Johann Muller suffered a calf injury in the team run on Wednesday and has been pulled from the team as a precaution.
All Black prop John Afoa will take over as skipper for the night and he is joined in the front row by Andi Kyriacou and Callum Black, who makes his second start.
Muller’s absence means Lewis Stevenson will partner Tuohy at lock, while Mike McComish, Willie Faloon and Robbie Diack form an athletic back row.
The half back pairing of Ruan Pienaar and Ian Humphreys remains, as does the centre partnership of Wallace and Ian Whitten.
Adam D’Arcy will start at fullback, with the versatile Stefan Terblanche moving to left wing and Craig Gilroy switching to the right flank.
Paddy McAllister has returned from injury to take a place on the bench where he will provide front row cover along with Nigel Brady and Adam Macklin. The experienced Tim Barker and Academy player Ali Birch are the other forward replacements.
Paul Marshall, Nevin Spence and Danielli complete the matchday squad.
Ulster Coach Brian McLaughlin is confident that the absence of some experienced players will be offset by the hunger of the players coming in. He said: “We’re delighted to have the guys away with Ireland, it’s important for that the individuals get recognition for their performances with Ulster.
“With those guys away, it gives others a chance to come in and push themselves. It’s important for the squad that we give as many opportunities as possible to players as we have to be in a position where we have depth in each area.”
Commenting on the late withdrawal of his captain, he said: “Johann got a tight calf during the team run yesterday (Wednesday) and after a scan we had a slight fear that it would develop, so we decided not to risk him. But it gives Lewis Stevenson the chance to step in and get some more game time, and Tim (Barker) will get some action from the bench.”
The Dragons have lost their previous ten games but McLaughlin is taking nothing for granted despite having home advantage. “It’s good to be back at Ravenhill in front of our home crowd but form counts for very little when you’re playing the Dragons.
"They are always difficult to beat and they will be as determined as ever to stop the rot.”
Ulster v Dragons, RaboDirect PRO12, Ravenhill, Belfast, Friday 10 February, kick-off 7.05pm:
15 Adam D’Arcy 14 Craig Gilroy 13 Ian Whitten 12 Paddy Wallace 11 Stefan Terblanche 10 Ian Humphreys 9 Ruan Pienaar 1 Callum Black 2 Adam Kyriacou 3 John Afoa (captain) 4 Lewis Stevenson 5 Dan Tuohy 6 Mike McComish 7 Willie Faloon 8 Robbie Diack.
Replacements: 16 Nigel Brady 17 Paddy McAllister 18 Adam Macklin 19 Tim Barker 20 Ali Birch 21 Paul Marshall 22 Nevin Spence 23 Simon Danielli.
