PHIL Dolman faces a baptism of fire tomorrow night when he makes his first start for Newport Gwent Dragons against Celtic champions Ulster at Ravenhill.

The Bedwas and Dragons Academy player steps straight in at inside centre where he will face tough New Zealander Paul Steinmetz at one of the fiercest venues in the game.

Dolman is called up in place of Wales Under-20 captain Ashley Smith who has suffered a recurrence of his shoulder injury.

But coach Paul Turner has no qualms about throwing 20-year-old Dolman in rather than the alternative of moving Ceri Sweeney and bringing Mike Hercus in at outside half.

Dolman will be the seventh Academy player to make his bow for the senior Dragons team this season following in the footsteps of Smith, Gareth Maule, Jamie Corsi, Lewis Evans, Jamie Harris and Richard Wilkes.

"It's part of our policy with the regional clubs that if we feel a player has got potential we move him into the regional squad," said Turner.

"Phil has been in the Academy and we've seen him develop. He was the Premiership player of the season last year (beating James Hook to the award) and it's a big chance for him, there's no better place than Ravenhill in a live TV game.

"Ceri Sweeney will help him and Paul Emerick is playing good football. We've got a good group and these tests are the ones you want, we know we're a force at home, now we've got to go away and stand up with the kitchen sink thrown at us."

The Dragons deliberately go in with one of the biggest, tallest packs they have ever fielded in an attempt to counter the juggernaut Ulster eight led by formidable Australian lock Justin Harrison.

Peter Sidoli and Luke Charteris, two mainly middle jumpers, are at lock with Andrew Hall on the blind side and Michael Owen leading the side from number eight, making a four-pronged attack on the line-out.

Colin Charvis and Nic Fitisemanu miss out in a highly competitive back row, but both will play a part, Charvis looking to impress Wales coach Gareth Jenkins who is making the journey to Northern Ireland to watch players before he picks the team to face France.

"We decided against bringing Colin back in immediately, but he will get game time along with Nic," said Turner. "Our back row combination is a big strength and we felt the performance against Borders merited these three guys starting, Andrew Hall is key to our line-out."

Wales scrum half Gareth Cooper resumes his partnership with Sweeney, who is on 182 points for the season, in his first start since the Munster game on January 5.

"We are looking for all our squad players to bring a certain buzz back to the process," said Turner.

"Friday night football in Ravenhill is a good occasion and though a bit of edge has been taken off it because it's in the middle of the Six Nations the people of Belfast won't take any notice of that and they'll be out in force.

"We've got to tighten up when we go away, we've got to be prepared to battle, not just by putting bodies on the line but by being smart in attack and defence.

"We've got to be polished all round because Ulster are a fine side used to winning in their own arena, so it'll be hold on to your seats time."

Dragons team: A Thomas, G Wyatt, P Emerick, P Dolman, A Brew, C Sweeney, G Cooper, A Black, B Daly, J Corsi, P Sidoli, L Charteris, A Hall, M Owen (captain), J Ringer. Replacements: G Robinson, R Wilkes, C Charvis, N Fitisemanu, A Walker, M Hercus, R Fussell. Kick off 7.10pm.