LIONS star Toby Faletau will not feature for Newport Gwent Dragons against Ulster on Friday night (kick-off 7.15pm) but new signing Netani Talei is poised for a debut in the back row.

The Fijian international, who arrived from Edinburgh this summer, is named in the squad for the RaboDirect Pro12 opener at Rodney Parade.

Fly-half Kris Burton, scrum-half Richie Rees, hooker Rhys Thomas, tighthead Francisco Chaparro and lock Matthew Screech could also make their first appearances for the region.

Number eight Faletau is rested following his efforts for the British and Irish Lions but Wales lock Andrew Coombs returns to captain the side after missing the pre-season friendly win against Bath because of a bump to the shoulder.

Dragons squad: D Evans, H Amos, T Prydie, W Harries, R Wardle, P Leach, J Dixon, A Hughes, K Burton, J Tovey, R Rees, J Evans; P Price, A Coundley, O Evans, R Thomas, H Gustafson, F Chaparro, N Buck, D Way, A Coombs, A Jones, M Screech, I Jones, L Evans, N Cudd, J Groves, N Talei.

Injuries: Steffan Jones (elbow), Darren Waters (knee), Lewis Robling (ankle)