ULSTER v DRAGONS (Tonight, KO 7.05)

NEWPORT Gwent Dragons prop Aaron Coundley will break a duck at the age of 23 in Belfast tonight.

In his fourth season with the region, the loosehead from Blackwood will start back-to-back Dragons games for the first time.

Coundley was given the nod against the Scarlets at the Millennium Stadium a fortnight ago and his reward for a fine display is retention of the number one jersey against RaboDirect Pro12 title hopefuls Ulster tonight.

The front rower is highly-rated by the Rodney Parade coaches and their faith was shown when they handed him a new two-year deal last month.

But Coundley has played just 14 games for the Dragons because of a catalogue of injuries.

The prop acknowledges the need to string together more games if he is to prove to be good value for his new contract.

“It’s been a rollercoaster three years and I’ve had three big injuries,” said the former Wales Under-20s prop.

“It has been tough but I also think it shows my character that I have been able to fight back and come out the other end.

“There were some hard moments and every rugby players has worries in the back of their mind about whether they are safe or not (in terms of another contract).

“It’s nice that the coaches believe in me and hopefully I can put all of those injuries behind me now.

“They have shown faith in me after all my injuries and it is down to be to give a bit back now by playing well and showing what I can do.”

Coundley did that on Judgement Day last weekend with an energetic display in the loose.

That will come as no surprise to those that have seen his mobility at first hand in the Premiership, particularly Ebbw Vale fans that saw him bag a terrific hat-trick against Glamorgan Wanderers three years ago.

Now he’s keen to build on a good showing against the Scarlets by making an impression against title-chasing Ulster.

“It was a career highlight to play at the Millennium Stadium and I was desperate to show people what I am capable of,” said Coundley.

“I was determined not to give away any silly free-kicks by going too early at the scrum and maybe I was a bit too passive at first, but it was just a case of finding my feet and I feel I came back strongly.

“I got positive feedback from the coaches but I am not the sort of player that will rest on that and I know that they expect me to push on.

“I am under pressure to perform well again and it’s going to be a massive challenge against a top side.

“Ulster are strong whichever three they put in the front row.

“We need to go at them all guns blazing.”