ELLIOT Dee will be on the bench for the Dragons against Ulster on Sunday after serving a two-game ban for Wales – even though he wasn’t named in the Six Nations squad.

The hooker was sent off in the 13-13 draw against Benetton at the end of last month but won’t miss any club action in the United Rugby Championship after a loophole was exploited.

Dee was not named by Wayne Pivac in his Six Nations squad because of an ankle injury but proved his fitness by featuring against the Italians, when he was sent off for dangerously clearing out a ruck with the clock in the red.

It was deemed that the offence was worthy of a six-game ban, reduced to three because of his public and private apology plus his good disciplinary record.

That was reduced to two fixtures after he took part in the World Rugby HPC Coaching Intervention process, involving a coaching session to modify technique.

South Wales Argus: Dragons and Wales hooker Elliot DeeDragons and Wales hooker Elliot Dee

Wales indicated that Dee would have been called up so the URC have counted the Six Nations fixtures against Ireland and Scotland, when Ryan Elias was backed up by uncapped Dewi Lake, towards the ban.

The 27-year-old from Newbridge completed the education course on Thursday and has been given the green light to face Ulster.

The uncertainty over his inclusion – the Dragons were waiting for clarity – means that he is selected on the bench with Taylor Davies continuing as the starter.

Dragons boss Ryan makes three changes to the XV that faced Benetton, one of them enforced after Ross Moriarty used that clash to prove his fitness for Wales.

Number eight Dan Baker replaces him while Greg Bateman comes in at loosehead and Rio Dyer gets the nod on the wing.

Flanker George Young, son of former Newport forward Robert, could make his Dragons debut off the bench while utility back Will Talbot-Davies might make a first outing of the campaign as a replacement.

Ulster feature Wales hooker Bradley Roberts, who will be a Dragon next season, on their bench.

Dragons: J Lewis; J Holmes, A Warren, A Owen, R Dyer; S Davies, G Bertranou; G Bateman, T Davies, C Coleman, J Davies, J Maksymiw, H Keddie (captain), O Griffiths, D Baker.

Replacements: E Dee, A Seiuli, M Doge, H Taylor, G Young, R Williams, I Davies, W Talbot-Davies.

Ulster: RLyttle; R Baloucoune, JHume, S McCloskey, B Moxham; B Burns, N Doak; A Warwick, J Andrew, T O'Toole, K Treadwell, S Carter, D McCann, M Rea, N Timoney

Replacements: B Roberts, E O'Sullivan, M Moore, C Izuchukwu, M Rea, D Shanahan, I Madigan, S Moore.