DRAGONS captain Ollie Griffiths has challenged his charges to give Bernard Jackman a selection headache after the boss rang the changes for Ulster tomorrow.

The Rodney Parade region travel to Belfast with a vastly-changed XV after ending a 14-game losing streak with victory against Connacht in the Guinness PRO14 last week.

Wales flanker Griffiths, who made his return from a hip problem against the Irish province, is one of just two players to be retained by the head coach, lock Rynard Landman the other, and takes over the captaincy lock Cory Hill.

Jackman, with one eye on next week’s home clash with Southern Kings, gives first starts of the season to 12 players.

George Gasson makes a Dragons debut on the wing and is joined in the back three by Carl Meyer and Adam Hughes.

USA international Thretton Palamo makes his bow after signing on loan from Bristol and partners Pat Howard in midfield while Dorian Jones and Owain Leonard are paired at half-back.

Thomas Davies, Gerard Ellis and Lloyd Fairbrother get a chance in the front row while Matthew Screech gets a second start of the campaign alongside Landman.

Max Williams and Robson Blake make their first regional starts alongside Griffiths in the back row while the bench is a mixture of youth and experience.

The replacements for the front row are seasoned campaigners in Rhys Buckley, Phil Price and Brok Harris but Joe Davies covers lock and teenage Wales Under-18s international Lennon Greggains covers the back row.

With Tavis Knoyle (knee) and Charlie Davies (head) sidelined and Sarel Pretorius rested, Cardiff Blues scrum-half Dane Blacker has signed a short-term loan to back-up 19-year-old Leonard and is joined on the bench by fly-half Angus O’Brien and full-back Will Talbot-Davies.

“It was a great win against Connacht but we need to back that up with a good performance in Ulster to set us in good stead for the Southern Kings,” said Griffiths.

“We had the same sort of side for the first few games so it’s about building strength in depth and a lot of boys are getting an opportunity.

“It’s about putting your hand up to stay in the team going forward. It’s exciting and big opportunity for the boys coming in, they know that they’ve got a job to do.”

Ulster have won three from three and are fresh from an excellent victory against the Scarlets.

The Dragons have won just once in Belfast – in 2008 – and have not won away in the league since triumphing at Treviso in March, 2015.

The Irish province are overwhelming favourites and are boosted by the return of powerhouse Charles Piutau from a hamstring injury with the influential former All Black joined in the back three by Tommy Bowe and Jacob Stockdale.

Ireland lock/flanker Iain Henderson will make his first appearance of the season off the bench after an extended break following his summer exploits with the British and Irish Lions.

“Ulster have some great counter-attackers and some big ball carriers,” said Griffiths, who made his debut at Ravenhill in 2014.

“They are a rounded team who are well-drilled and well-coached, so it’s going to be a massive challenge going there. They are always good at home and have a good following.”

Ulster: C Piutau, T Bowe, D Cave, McCloskey, J Stockdale, P Nelson, P Marshall, K McCall, R Herring, R Ah You, R Diack, A O’Connor, C Ross, C Henry (captain), N Timoney. Replacements: J Andrew, A Warwick, W Herbst, I Henderson, M Rea, D Shanahan, B Herron, R Lyttle.

Dragons: C Meyer, A Hughes, T Palamo, P Howard, G Gasson, D Jones, O Leonard, T Davies, G Ellis, L Fairbrother, M Screech, R Landman, M Williams, O Griffiths (captain), R Blake. Replacements: R Buckley, P Price, B Harris, J Davies, L Greggains, D Blacker, A O’Brien, W Talbot Davies.

Referee: Dan Jones (Wales)