DEAN Ryan has welcomed the chance for the Dragons to go on the run on the perfect Principality Stadium surface – but has warned it will also bring the best out of their rivals.

The region will play their Guinness PRO14 run-in in the capital to allow work to be done on the problematic Rodney Parade pitch.

The Dragons will host Ulster tomorrow (kick-off 7.35pm), Glasgow and Edinburgh in Cardiff rather than Newport.

Newport County AFC played the first of two fixtures at Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday evening when they beat Bradford City 2-1.

The Exiles were able to play attractive football on the deck but so could the Bantams, who were good value for a 1-0 lead until a late double by Matty Dolan.

It will be a similar situation for the Dragons, who got the balance right between forward power and slick strike plays to stun the Ospreys with a five-try performance last weekend.

Ryan has warned that the Cardiff conditions will bring the best out of an Ulster side who have lost just twice this season, both to Conference A winners Leinster, and who are the second most potent side in the entire PRO14 with 54 tries, a tally only bettered by the champions.

DOUBLE: Jonah Holmes crossed for two of the Dragons five tries against the Ospreys

DOUBLE: Jonah Holmes crossed for two of the Dragons' five tries against the Ospreys

“The move also creates a great surface for other people and we have a really good side coming on the weekend and then Glasgow, who play very fast,” said director of rugby Ryan.

“That's a challenge but one we'd rather than getting used to the bounce of a ball or anything else that was happening at Rodney Parade. It was very, very difficult to develop a game while on there.

“This is a great opportunity and it’s well-documented about the challenges of playing at Rodney Parade and it was affecting us. Against Connacht we went from training on a 4G pitch straight into that.

“It affected our rhythm and what we were trying to do. We lost our timing a bit and then against Zebre we didn’t really fire a shot when we had an opportunity.

“Knowing that we are in Cardiff for the next three games and knowing what that surface is like, it's down to us ensure we deliver.”

The Dragons haven’t spent the week preparing for Cardiff and will only get on the pitch on Saturday evening, with their team run taking place at their Ystrad Mynach training base today.

“We spoke to the senior players at the beginning of the week when it was being discussed and then we told everyone on Thursday morning, although most of it was already in the news by then,” said Ryan.

“I am just pleased that it does add to the occasion for the next few games and gives us the chance to see if we can continue momentum from last week.”

The last time they played at Principality Stadium was when they broke their Judgement Day duck against the Scarlets in 2019.

The Dragons will next play at Rodney Parade when they host Northampton in the last 16 of the European Challenge Cup on the weekend of April 2.

County are next scheduled to play in Newport on March 27 but that League Two fixture against Scunthorpe could be postponed because of international call-ups.

The pitch will have a breather and allows the hard-working groundstaff to carry out work.

Managing director Mark Jones said: “We are extremely grateful to our colleagues at the WRU, the Guinness PRO14 and our host broadcasters for their support and understanding with this venue change.

“The move will allow us to carry out vital work on the pitch throughout March before the Dragons and Newport County return home for the conclusion of the 2020/21 season.”