Dragons' new signings can make a big difference in URC - Shane Williams

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Wales legend Shane Williams hopes the Dragons can finally live up to their potential in the United Rugby Championship.

The Rodney Parade club get their campaign under way when they take on Ulster in Belfast on Friday evening (kick-off 8.05pm).

The Dragons endured a torrid 2024-25 season in which they won just once in the URC - against Ospreys on opening weekend - and finished bottom of the table.

Head coach Filo Tiatia is still hunting a first league victory but heads to Kingspan Stadium with a much-changed squad courtesy of a big recruitment drive.

Seven players are in line to make their debut against the Irish province while a group of young prospects are aiming to push on after stepping up to senior level last season.

Dragons head to Ireland after morale-boosting pre-season wins against Hartpury University RFC and the Scarlets, with legendary winger Shane Williams hopeful his former Ospreys teammate Tiatia can lead them to brighter times.

LEGEND: Wales great Shane Williams is a Premier Sports pundit for the URC(Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency)

"We are looking for the Dragons to improve on last year. It was only a friendly but beating the Scarlets, who were the top Welsh team in the URC last season, was a real positive," said Premier Sports pundit Williams.

"Filo has a no-nonsense attitude and has made some positive signings, and what I have noticed with the Dragons is how strong their age-grade sides.

"They have some really quality players coming through that can hopefully be instilled into that team to help. I hope they do improve and I am sure they will.

"The Dragons are a side that does have potential, and I know that we always talk about that.

We have seen them bring in players who I think could be the difference when going with the youngsters they have.

"I still see them probably finishing as the bottom of the Welsh regions this season, but we want to see progress from them."

The first block of the season will take place amid uncertainty for the professional game with the Welsh Rugby Union proposing changes that could see four clubs cut to two.

Dragons players will be tasked with putting that to the back of their minds while taking on Ulster, the Sharks, Glasgow, Cardiff and the Ospreys.

"We've seen this a few times in Welsh rugby and the players have been here before," said Williams.

"It is difficult but they have a job to do and the only way to secure your future is to be playing well for your region.

"There are players that have rhino skin and are mentally tough while some might be a little more worried but you just have to make sure you are prepared for the next game."

MILESTONE: Lock Matthew Screech makes his 200th Dragons appearance(Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency)

Lock Matthew Screech will make his 200th Dragons appearance in Belfast, hitting the milestone in his second spell at Rodney Parade after first playing for the club in 2013.

Fly-half Tinus de Beer, loosehead Wyn Jones and tighthead Rob Hunt make their debuts as starters with prop Dillon Lewis, lock Levi Douglas, back-row forward Mackenzie Martin and wing/centre Fine Inisi set for first appearances off the bench.

Wales summer tourists Rhodri Williams, Elliot Dee, Ben Carter and Aaron Wainwright all start but tighthead Chris Coleman misses out to Hunt and Lewis.

Dragons: Angus O'Brien (co-captain), Rio Dyer, Joe Westwood, Aneurin Owen, Jared Rosser, Tinus de Beer, Rhodri Williams; Wyn Jones, Elliot Dee, Rob Hunt, Matthew Screech, Ben Carter (co-captain), Shane Lewis-Hughes, Harri Keddie, Aaron Wainwright.

Replacements: Brodie Coghlan, Rodrigo Martinez, Dillon Lewis, Levi Douglas, Mackenzie Martin, Che Hope, Fine Inisi, Huw Anderson.

- Shane Williams is part of the Premier Sports team showing every game live from the BKT United Rugby Championship. It all starts this weekend with live action from Ulster v Dragons RFC, Scarlets v Munster, Vodacom Bulls v Ospreys and Cardiff v Emirates Lions.