Newport v Ulster, Rodney Parade 5.30, ON TV: Live on S4C: The Celtic League champions' resources weren't so heavily stretched as Munster's last week, although the absence of six Irish squad members and the injured Simon Best was still quite a strain.
That they rolled up their sleeves and came through with a merited win over Llanelli was a statement of intent, and one that perhaps might have been beyond them a year ago or certainly two years ago.
In the circumstances, despite an impressive cameo from Kieron Dawson on his return to his native province, true to type, and understandably, Mark McCall has retained the same starting line-up.
Aside from McCall's reluctance to change a winning team, the message to Dawson is that he will have to earn his starting place.
In the first of four away games out of their next five in the league, another win would maintain their unbeaten League record in 2006 and set the champions up nicely for the gradual re-introduction of their Irish squad members, including their main strike runners.
The Dragons overturned a 20-point interval deficit in completing a 24-23 win in Glasgow. Ulster did do the double over them last season, but their victory in Rodney Parade in September 2005 was the last time the Welsh outfit lost at home to Irish opposition, against whom they have a very good record at the venue.
Colin Charvis makes his first start for the region and will captain the side. Ben Daly comes in at hooker for Steve Jones who is rested while Peter Sidoli has recovered from his foot injury to make the starting XV.
Among the backs Craig Warlow moves to fullback with Gareth Wyatt starting on the wing. Nathan Brew moves to inside centre while Mike Hercus makes his first competitive start for the Men of Gwent at fly half.
ULSTER: B Cunningham; M Bartholomeusz, P Steinmetz, P Wallace; A Maxwell; D Humphreys, K Campbell; J Fitzpatrick, P Shields, T Court, J Harrison, T Barker, S Ferris, N McMillan, R Wilson. Replacements: N Brady, D Fitzpatrick, M McCullough, K Dawson, P Marshall, K Maggs, S Young.
DRAGONS: C Warlow; G Wyatt, N Brew, C Sweeney, A Brew; M Hercus, A Walker; A Black, B Daly, R Thomas, I Gough, P Sidoli, C Charvis (capt), J Ringer, N Fitisemanu. Replacements: K Crawford, L Harrison, A Hall, J Bearman, A Thomas, S Stewart, G Baber.
Referee: David Changleng (Scotland).
Previous meetings: (03-04) Ulster 37 Dragons 18; Dragons 27 Ulster 19; (04-05) Ulster 21 Dragons 28; Dragons 13 Ulster 11; (05-06) Dragons 19 Ulster 22; Ulster 24 Dragons 17.
The Statistics
Leading try scorers: Dragons: Aled Brew, Ceri Sweeney 1 each. Ulster: Mark Bartholomeusz 1 each.
Leading try scorers: Dragons: Ceri Sweeney 16. Ulster: David Humphreys 21.
Forecast: Dragons to win.
