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Page last updated at 14:57 GMT, Friday, 20 February 2009

Dragons v Ulster (Sun)

MAGNERS LEAGUE
Venue: Rodney Parade, Newport Date: Sunday, 22 February Kick-off: 1610 GMT Coverage: BBC Radio Ulster MW & online, S4C


Dragons

Full-back Kevin Morgan is poised for his first competitive action in seven months when the Dragons face Ulster in the Magners League on Sunday.

The 48-cap back has been absent since June with a ruptured Achilles tendon and is on the bench.

Back-rowers Joe Bearman and Richard Parks also return after injury.

Irish prop Tom Court returns to the Ulster line-up, Chris Henry continues at number eight while Kieron Dawson is captain in the absence of Rory Best.

Court is available for Ulster having been released from the Ireland squad.

Carlo Del Fava (Italy) and Simon Danielli (Scotland) have also been released from international duty - Del Fava is on the bench while Danielli starts on the wing.

Rory Best, Paddy Wallace and Stephen Ferris are unavailable because of their Ireland squad commitments.

Dragons' new signing Aled Brew has returned from Wales Sevens duty, but fellow winger Gareth Wyatt could be out for two months after shoulder surgery.

Wales squad member Rhys Thomas has been released for regional duty in the game.

Morgan return delights Dragons

But the tight-head prop will not be joined back at the Dragons by Luke Charteris, Wales coach Warren Gatland choosing to keep the lock with the national set-up.

Dragons coach Paul Turner is delighted to have the experience of Morgan and Bearman available again after the pair came through a development match on Monday.

"I'm pleased Kevin and Joe both came through Monday night," said Turner.

"We still have a few injuries so I'm contemplating putting Kevin in the team for Sunday, although I would have liked him to get a bit more pitch time under his belt.

"We saw the old Kev on Monday night, the old step and dart and the injury didn't seem to be a problem.

"Ulster are a structurally good side and you only have to look at their result over Munster at Thomond Park to know what they are capable of.

606: DEBATE

"They are a lot like us in many ways and they will have built up confidence on the back of a couple of wins.

"Sunday's game is very important with the small points difference between us and we have to move up the league."


Dragons: Jason Tovey; Martyn Thomas, Rhodri Gomer Davies, Ashley Smith, Richard Fussell ; Shaun Connor, Wayne Evans; Adam Black, Tom Willis (capt), Rhys Thomas, Adam Jones, Hoani Macdonald, Joe Bearman, Richard Parks, Lewis Evans. Replacements: Steve Jones, Nigel Hall, Andrew Hall, Grant Webb, Phillip Dollman, Kevin Morgan, Rob Lewis.

Ulster: C Schifcofske, A Trimble, D Cave, P Steinmetz, S Danielli, I Humphreys, I Boss, T Court, N Brady, B Botha, E O'Donoghue, R Caldwell, D Pollock, K Dawson (capt), C Henry.
Replacements: S Phillpott, B Young, C Del Fava, M McCullough, C Willis, I Whitten, N O'Connor.



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see also
Magners Celtic League 2008/9
29 Nov 08 |  Rugby Union
RaboDirect Pro12 table
09 Aug 06 |  Tables
Regional rugby archive
07 Jul 03 |  Welsh
BBC Sport Wales coverage
03 Oct 11 |  Wales
BBC Sport NI coverage
11 Feb 09 |  Northern Ireland
BBC Scotland programme guide
26 Jul 09 |  Scotland


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