NEWPORT Gwent Dragons will go second in the Celtic League table if they pull off their first victory at Ravenhill tonight against Ulster. And they have a game in hand over their rivals.

They currently lie third, a point behind Leinster, who they sent packing last week, and the Irish province don't play until Sunday when they face Edinburgh.

Neath-Swansea Ospreys are well out ahead nine points clear already, so will take some catching, and they aren't likely to slip up tonight against Borders at Galashiels, next week's destination for the Dragons, even allowing for their injury problems.

So a fourth successive victory for the Dragons tonight would be timely, even though Ulster will be flat out to avoid losing three games at home for the first time for over four years, and lost heavily at Rodney Parade in a pre-season friendly.

"Don't read too much into a friendly," warned returning Dragons captain Jason Forster. "They are a strong side and they're a bit like us, they don't give much away and they're hard working. They'll be looking to put the record straight after losing their last two home games so it'll be a physical battle."

Dragons players are well in the forefront of Celtic League scorers, thanks mainly to two former Celtic Warriors men.

Outside half Ceri Sweeney, who took the kicks against Leinster despite the return of Percy Montgomery, is fourth in the overall points list with 47, four behind Glasgow's Dan Parks and trailing Edinburgh's Chris Paterson by five. Gavin Henson of the Ospreys is way out ahead on 78 points.

And in the try scoring stakes Dragons wing Gareth Wyatt lies in joint second place with three from four appearances (plus another against Ulster in the pre-season friendly).

David Bishop (Ospreys), Gary Brown (Leinster) and Christian Cullen (Munster) are leading the list on four apiece. James Norton of Leinster and Sonney Parker (Ospreys) are with Wyatt on three each.