MICHAEL Owen goes into tonight's crucial top-of-the-table Celtic League game against Ulster at Rodney Parade with a dual target.

The big forward is aiming to help preserve the Dragons' unbeaten home league record to maintain their title challenge, and he hopes a big individual performance will catapult him into the Wales team for the Six Nations clash against France a week tomorrow.

Ironically, Ulster was the last team he started against a month ago when the Dragons were well beaten 22-0 in the Heineken Cup at Ravenhill.

This will be the fourth meeting between the sides this season, two in Europe and two in the Celtic League.

"Ulster are a very good team, but we've had one good win against them (when the Dragons beat them 24-15 at home in the Heineken Cup) and we can do it again," said Owen.

"If we do, it will make it 2-2 against them this season. It'll be a big thing if we can keep our home record going because it would be a shame if we let it go after all the hard work we've put in."

Owen missed the victories over Leinster and Llanelli as well as the defeat by the Ospreys because he was on Wales duty.

"It was a bit disappointing the boys lost against the Ospreys last week, though it was an encouraging performance," he said.

"But they were brilliant wins against Leinster and Llanelli and it's important we get a few results now."

A big performance tonight will undeniably help Owen make his first start for Wales at lock which is where Wales coach Steve Hansen believes his future lies. He has a high opinion of the Dragons player who could well make the starting line-up against the French.

Ironically, Owen will be in direct opposition against Ulster to Gary Longwell, who has just been drafted into the Ireland squad for the game against England next Saturday because of injury to Donncha O'Callaghan.

"It would be great to have a start for Wales," said Owen, after going on as a replacement against Scotland and Ireland. If he makes the team it will be his first start for Wales at lock in his eleventh appearance after playing at number eight until this season.

"I'm not bothered where I play now," he said. "But Ireland was a real disappointment after playing so well in the World Cup and against Scotland. But sometimes it goes like that, it's difficult to put your finger on it.

"It was really disappointing, but we've got to bounce back and try to show what we're made of against France though it'll be really difficult."