THE Dragons will be able to field a back row of specialists at Ulster after Wales released Taine Basham from their Six Nations squad for game time, with boss Dai Flanagan also set to bring in a short-term signing.

Basham came off the bench to win his 17th cap against England at Twickenham but missed out to Cardiff debutant Mackenzie Martin for the defeat in Ireland.

The 24-year-old from Talywain is the only member of Warren Gatland’s squad that is sent out to get club action in the second Six Nations break.

It has been a frustrating campaign for the dynamic back rower, who was a fringe figure at the World Cup and then was red-carded for a late hit on his Dragons return.

He was suspended then left out of the matchday squad after an under-par performance at Cardiff on Boxing Day.

South Wales Argus: BACK: Dragons back rower Taine BashamBACK: Dragons back rower Taine Basham (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

However, Basham’s return for a sixth club appearance of the season is a massive boost for the United Rugby Championship trip to Belfast on Saturday (kick-off 7.35pm) given the Dragons’ struggles in the back row.

Head coach Flanagan was down to his last two fit and available back rowers in Dan Lydiate and Sean Lonsdale, who are both blindsides.

Aaron Wainwright has established himself as Wales’ starting number eight in the Six Nations, so stays in camp to prepare for the France and Italy games.

George Young suffered a season-ending pectoral muscle injury in the 40-7 hammering at Glasgow in the last round and is joined in the treatment room by Ryan Woodman, who is targeting this summer’s World Rugby U20 Championship after a thumb injury.

Ollie Griffiths (concussion), Harri Keddie (elbow) and lock/blindside George Nott (shoulder) are all major doubts for the trip to Ravenhill.

Young’s injury led to James Benjamin returning to his former position at Scotstoun Stadium while Sam Scarfe, formerly an academy back rower, made his debut at openside after coming on for Lydiate in the closing stages.

That has led the Dragons to bring in a short-term signing who has already trained with the squad and is hoping to get the green light to feature in the matchday 23, which is named at midday tomorrow.