The Dragons welcome promising center Aneurin Owen into their squad to face Ulster in what will be his first appearance of the year.

The 22-year-old has been sidelined since December after suffering a serious knee injury against the Stormers in Port Elizabeth. But he’s back on the bench for Friday’s trip to Belfast (start: 7.35pm).

Furthermore, Angus O’Brien returns to the first team following the birth of his second child, starting at midfielder despite being favored at full-back for most of the season.

O’Brien’s return is one of six changes with Ashton Hewitt once again on hand to fill a vacancy in the band. Jared Rosser moves from wing to midfield to line up at center alongside Max Clarke.

Rhodri Jones, Elliott Dee and Leon Brown line up in a new front line made up of Welsh internationals. For Dee Whore, he will make his 100th URC appearance just weeks after signing a new contract to remain at Rodney Parade.

The latest change to the team is the retirement of second-row Matthew Screech from suspension, with George Knott moving to the back row.

As well as Owen’s return to the bench, there’s also the local trio of Brodie Coghlan, Josh Reynolds and George Young, with the latter looking for his first appearance of the season.

“We knew we were in for a tough end to the season with Glasgow out, Ulster out and Scarlets at Principality Stadium, but it’s a challenge we will continue to take up,” said Flanagan.

“We know what awaits us, there is nothing surprising here. But collectively we just have to improve the fundamentals of the game and make sure we can stay in contention longer.”

Ulster: Mike Lowry; Craig Gilroy, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale; Billy Burns, John Cooney; Eric O’Sullivan, Tom Stewart, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor (Captain), Sam Carter, David McCann, Marcus Rea, Dwayne Vermeulen.

Substitutes: John Andrews, Andy Warwick, Geoffrey Tumaga Allen, Kieran Treadwell, Nick Timoney, Nathan Doak, Stuart Moore, Ethan McIlroy.

Dragons: Jordan Williams; Rio Dyer, Jared Rosser, Max Clark, Ashton Hewitt; Angus O’Brien, Rhodri Williams (Captain); Rhodri Jones, Elliot Dee, Leon Brown, Ben Carter, Matthew Screech, George Knott, Thane Basham, Aaron Wainwright

Alternates: Brodie Coghlan, Josh Reynolds, Lloyd Fairbrother, Sean Lonsdale, George Young, Lewis Jones, Will Reid, Aneurin Owen

Source: Wales Online