Coach Paul Turner is well aware of the huge challenge his squad faces but is one the whole Region is excited about especially after the impressive away performance the team put in against Munster. “Three matches are a huge ask especially in such a short period of time, however, we look forward to these matches which always have added intensity on and off the field. We are buoyed by our performance at Thomond Park where I was pleased with the brave performance the team put in and to lead at one stage which we did is no mean feat. We go into the Christmas period with confidence. It is only the little things that are letting us down and if we cut out the unforced errors and perform like we did in Thomond Park then the victories will come.”

Last time the two sides met at Rodney Parade it was The Dragons who came out on top thanks to the boot of Ceri Sweeney who kicked The Dragons to a 15-0 win.

“The Scarlets may have started the season badly losing to Edinburgh at home but since then have been playing some good rugby and have claimed the impressive scalps of Sale, Newcastle, Leeds and Wasps, so there is no doubt they are a good side,” continued Paul. “No doubt they will be looking to avenge last weeks loss to Wasps and will want to put that defeat behind them. They have a formidable pack and dangerous runners in Regan King and Matthew J Watkins. Our defence was good against Munster and is one of the positives we took from the game; we have to be clinical with our finishing and possess the ruthless edge if we want to turn our good performances into wins.”

There will be little seasonal good will on offer from The Dragons as rivalries are stoked up to the maximum and brought to the fore with three Welsh derby games, two of which are at the Dragons lair. Christmas and New Year is a busy time for The Dragons with no let up for the squad.

“Our main goal naturally over the festive period is to win all three games and we will do that if we put in good performances. Having home advantage for two of those matches is a big plus especially as they are all big occasions and big Welsh derbies. We look forward to the crowd again getting behind us and making life difficult for the opposition. It is a number of big games in a short space of time but that is what playing at the highest level is all about. Players looks forward to playing in front of packed crowds and we are looking forward to a full Rodney Parade and hoping supporters will again travel to the Arms Park to continue their support on 27th December before opening 2006 with the Ospreys at home. We need to secure wins to move us up the Celtic League table and back into the zone where we can secure Heineken Cup qualification for next season, ” concluded Paul.

Looking ahead to Fridays match against the Scarlets Michael Owen said, “We gave a good account of ourselves last weekend in Munster and we have to take that performance into Friday. The Scarlets have done well this season, they have rebuilt and are looking strong, however, we have quality players in Hal Luscombe, Nathan Brew and Kevin Morgan who if given space can do some real damage. We are capable of good play we just need to be more consistent. There is great morale among the squad and everyone is really positive, training has been good and we have good players here.”

Dragons Squad

Kevin Morgan, Aled Thomas, Gareth Chapman, Richard Fussell, Nathan Brew, Hal Luscombe, Jon Bryant, Ceri Sweeney, Craig Warlow, Gareth Cooper, Gareth Baber, Adam Black, David Maddocks, Steve Jones, Andy Brown, Rhys Thomas, Gethin Robinson, Ian Gough, Luke Charteris, Peter Sidoli, Andy Hall, Rhys Oakley, Michael Owen, Jamie Ringer, Jason Forster.