Dragons aim to exploit Ulster 'edginess' at Ravenill in URC

The Rodney Parade club are looking for a first United Rugby Championship win outside Wales since October 2021 when they take to the field in Belfast (kick-off 7.35pm).

The Dragons have lost all five games on the road in the URC this season with Munster, the Sharks, Lions, Cardiff and Glasgow all bagging four-try bonuses.

The average points against is 51.6 while the average margin of defeat is 35.6.

In addition to that, Flanagan’s men suffered narrow European Challenge Cup defeats away to Pau and Zebre Parma.

Ulster are having a poor campaign by their standards and that cost Dan McFarland his job, with Dan Soper holding the reins before the arrival of Ireland Under-20s boss Richie Murphy at the end of the Six Nations until the end of the season.

The Irish province started the weekend eighth in the table and sweating on their play-off place but are still strong on home turf with four wins from five.

DEFEAT: Ulster lost to European heavyweights Toulouse in the Champions Cup in Belfast (Image: PA)

“There will be no fear from them,” said head coach Flanagan. “There is a coaching change and I am sure we will see a really excited, energetic Ulster side wanting to impress.

“Our job is to make sure we don't give them that opportunity and make them work hard for anything they want, unlike Glasgow.

“We need to capitalise on opportunities, unlike Glasgow, and then suddenly it's half-time and you are in the game, there is edginess around Ravenhill and the buzz starts building in our group.”

The Dragons have lost their last 11 games in Belfast since a 22-22 draw in 2010 and have won just twice in 19 fixtures at Ravenhill, 16-14 in 2008 and 28-21 in 2004.

“Ulster are a good team, especially at home. Ravenhill is a formidable place to go but it's also a fantastic place if you can get on top of them,” said Flanagan.

“The crowd are very loud but we can silence them if we do certain thing well. That's our aim, to keep them as silent as possible.”