Ulster seeking a home semi-final

Perhaps it's a good thing for Ulster this weekend that the Dragons are struggling near the foot of the table. With coach Mark Anscombe making seven changes from the team that started against Saracens in the Heineken Cup, he's definitely thin in places, some of it not of his own making.

Captain and leader Johan Muller has a torn bicep, while fullback Jared Payne, who injured his ankle, and the concussed Luke Marshall are unavailable. Marshall's condition will not be known until he sees a specialist as last weekend was a worrying third concussion in three weeks.

In the frontrow, John Afoa has again returned to New Zealand for family reasons, so the inexperienced Ricky Lutton fills in at tighthead.

Paddy Jackson is rested, allowing Ruan Pienaar switch to outhalf, with Paul Marshall coming in at nine.

Iain Henderson switches from blindside flanker to the secondrow with Dan Tuouhy, Robbie Diack playing at blindside. Chris Henry is also rested for Mike McComish to come in at seven.

The good news is Tommy Bowe, who won his 100th cap for Ulster when he came off the bench against Saracens, starts his first game for the province since he injured his knee in December.

Home advantage and Newport’s paltry five wins from 19 matches suggest that even Ulster lite can take this one. The home side are needy for points with just this one, Connacht away and Cardiff at home remaining to secure the desired home semi-final play-off.