ULSTER bring all eight of their Ireland squad members to Rodney Parade for Saturday's Celtic League clash against Newport Gwent Dragons.

And they arrive buoyed by successive victories over Cardiff Blues and Edinburgh which, together with four points from a blank weekend, has put them on top of the table at this early stage of the season.

Their victory in Cardiff ended an eight-match losing sequence in Wales, so they ought to be full of confidence, even if they haven't won at Rodney Parade in three visits.

"We hadn't won in Wales for a while and to win the first two games was great," admitted Ulster coach Mark McCall.

"We looked at our first four games with three away, including the Dragons, and we knew it was important to keep our heads above water. We are hoping to keep the momentum going.

"It's encouraging to have eight players in the Ireland squad, the majority of them are young which is good for the future of Ulster rugby."

The eight, all of whom are in the side to face the Dragons, are full back Paddy Wallace, wing Tommy Bowe, centre Kevin Maggs, half backs David Humphreys and Kieran Campbell, prop and captain Simon Best, lock Matt McCullough and number eight Roger Wilson.

McCall is aware of the tough opening the Dragons have had, and of his team's poor record at Newport, as well as the level of home support.

"They've had a hell of a start with three away and now their first home game against us, but from what we've seen they were very competitive against the Ospreys and Leinster and they won in Glasgow," he said.

"The Dragons' record at home is very good against us and against most teams, we know it's going to be a big game and with the support of their crowd.

"But the league is such now that almost every team is capable of beating the other and if we don't get things right we'll be beaten."

The only significant absentee from the Ulster team is centre Paul Steinmetz, who fractured a cheekbone last week against Edinburgh. He is replaced by 20-year-old Andrew Trimble, normally a wing, with James Topping back on the wing and Tyrone Howe returning on the bench.

Their talisman is prolific points scorer Humphreys while the two Justins, Harrison and Fitzpatrick, have stiffened their pack considerably, Harrison the former Australia lock and prop Fitzpatrick returning from France where he was with Castres.

Team: P Wallace, T Bowe, A Trimble, K Maggs, J Topping, D Humphreys, K Campbell, J Fitzpatrick, R Best, S Best (captain), J Harrison, M McCullough, N Best, R Wilson, N McMillan. Replacements: T Howe, S Stewart, R Spee, P Shields, B Young, R Frost, C Feather.