WALES Under-21 star Rhys Thomas makes his first start for Newport Gwent Dragons when they face former Heineken Cup winners Ulster in their Belfast stronghold of Ravenhill on Friday night.

Coach Mike Ruddock throws the 21-year-old tight head prop in against the vastly experienced former Springbok Robbie Kempson, who enjoyed a brief spell with Newport four years ago.

Thomas has made five appearances as a replacement for the Dragons, but this will be his first start for them.

Brought up in South Africa, but with Welsh parents Thomas was a regular for Wales in last year's World Cup Under-21 tournament, and was the only British player to be included in an IRB top team after the event.

"It's a big opportunity for Rhys, he hasn't had many," said Ruddock. "He'll have his hands full against Kempson, but he's a good player and if he wants to play regional rugby he needs to be there doing the business."

At 117kg, Thomas is the heaviest player in a big Dragons squad, marginally more than Rod Snow and Ian Gough, both of whom feature in the Dragons team.

Thomas is not the only player given a chance after a lengthy absence.

Rhodri Jones and Craig Warlow form a new half back partnership, though Lee Jarvis could not be considered because of a virus.

Jones ironically makes his first start since the Celtic League game in Ulster and Warlow, who has been out with an adducta muscle injury, plays for the first time since November 7.

"It's in our interests that they get a game under their belts with the Celtic League run-in to come," said Ruddock.

He recalls skipper Andy Marinos, Rod Snow and Paul Young, while Jamie Ringer gets his first outing in his normal openside flanker position. Jason Forster misses his first game of the season after 16 successive starts, aggravating an ankle injury in Wales squad training. Rhys Oakley steps in at blindside flanker in his first start for two months.