Richie Murphy's side will be aiming to get off to a positive start against the men of Gwent, in front of Ulster supporters at Affidea Stadium.
The team go into the season opener after a strong performance in the recent Bank of Ireland pre-season fixture against Edinburgh, winning by 31-19 and getting vital minutes across the squad in preparation for the season.
Ulster are back in action!
Be there to roar the Ulstermen on for the URC season opener under the Friday Night Lights!
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Our opposition
Dragons go into the fixture with optimism after a positive pre-season, that saw two victories against Scarlets and English Champ Rugby side, Hartpury University RFC.
The Dragons will be looking to start on a new note after a disappointing 2024/25 campaign that saw the Gwent side finish in 16th.
Head Coach, Filo Tiatia, said that he is having a selection headache ahead of his first full season in charge, with young players pushing for involvement and international players being back in the fold.
The Welsh side have revamped their side over the off season, adding the lively fly-half, Tinus de Beer, from Cardiff, and the vastly experienced former British and Irish Lions prop, Wyn Jones, to the team.
They also received a boost this summer with senior internationals Elliot Dee and Rhodri Williams signing new contract extensions.
Match Details
🤝 Ulster v Dragons<br>
🗓 Friday 26 September, 8.05pm<br>
🏟 Affidea Stadium<br>
🏆 BKT United Rugby Championship – Round 1<br>
📺 Live on Premier Sports
Fixture Rewind
The last time the two sides faced each other was a thrilling match at Rodney Parade, that saw Ulster clinch a dramatic 30-34 away victory. A late try from Scott Wilson, followed by a John Cooney conversion and 81st minute penalty sealed the comeback victory. At half-time Ulster trailed by ten points, after tries from Aneurin Owen, Huw Anderson and Rhodri Williams. James Hume and Rob Herring replied for Richie Murphy's side.
In the second half, Ulster got off to a good start with Rob Herring's try reducing the scoreline.
Wilson and Cooney made big impacts off the bench to make the difference in the scoreline and seal a late win.
Players to watch
Niall Armstrong
Belfast born, Armstrong, returns home to take on Ulster after signing for Dragons this summer after a stint at Exeter Chiefs.
The 25-year-old has trained with the Rodney Parade side throughout pre-season and replaces Dane Blacker, who has returned to Scarlets.
A former RBAI student, Armstrong played for Ulster in the age-grade teams and earned a chance in the Gallagher Premiership as part of Chiefs' partnership with the University of Exeter.
The Belfast-born scrum-half made 20 appearances for the Devon side and will now aim to make his mark in the United Rugby Championship (URC) with Dragons.
Aaron Wainwright
Aaron Wainwright is one of the Dragons’ homegrown stars and a key member of the Welsh pack. A latecomer to rugby after first excelling in football, he came through Whiteheads RFC and Cardiff Met before making his Dragons debut in 2017.
Since then, he has gone on to rack up over a century of appearances for the region and establish himself as a key figure in the national side, making his Wales debut in 2018 and featuring in World Cup and Six Nations campaigns.
Dynamic with ball in hand, relentless in defence, and versatile across the back row, Wainwright was named Wales Men’s Player of the Year in 2024.
Joe Westwood
Westwood arrives into the fixture in top form, after hitting a first half hat trick for Dragons in their pre season 33-28 win over their fierce rivals, Scarlets, at Rodney Parade.
The 22 year-old centre brings power, physicality and a strong skillset to the midfield.
Expect him to make ground with hard runs, look for opportunities in the line, and offer solid defensive work.
Did you know?
- Ulster have lost only once to a Welsh opponent since February 2024, 19-21 to Cardiff at the Arms Park last October, whilst they have not been defeated at home by a Welsh opponent since Scarlets won 21-20 in Belfast in February 2016.
- Dragons’ most recent victory in the BKT URC was in the opening fixture last season with a home win over the Ospreys.
- Dragons RFC have not won away from home in the Championship since beating Scarlets in Llanelli in April 2022.
- The Welshmen’s most recent success against an Irish province was a 23-17 win over Munster at Rodney Parade in September 2022, whilst they have not been victorious away to an Irish province since their trip to Connacht in October 2021.
- Ulster have won their last eight fixtures against the Dragons since their 32-all draw in Newport in December 2017.
- Dragons have not beaten Ulster since March 2015 and have not tasted success in Belfast since September 2008.