DRAGONS V SCARLETS (Tomorrow KO 7.05)

NEWPORT Gwent Dragons believe the derby scalp of the Scarlets will bring the confidence flooding back and turn their stuttering season around.

The West Walians head to Rodney Parade tomorrow even-ing looking for a RaboDirect Pro12 victory that would leave the Dragons with a mountain to climb in the race for Heineken Cup qualification.

Last week’s loss to Cardiff Blues combined with the Llanelli region’s Boxing Day success against the Ospreys has left the Dragons 14 points behind the Scarlets.

There is little margin for error if another season in the Amlin Challenge Cup is to be avoided but scrum-half Wayne Evans and flanker Gavin Thomas believe all is not lost.

“We desperately need a win and if we can get it against the Scarlets then I think it will turn our season around and bring the confidence flooding back,” said Evans.

“We have had a massively frustrating season so far but I don’t think that huge changes are needed.

“As a squad we are desperate to give our home crowd something to cheer about and we know that we will have to be at our best.”

The Dragons have failed to win in the Pro12 since a home success against Ulster in September and are looking to avoid a fourth loss on the spin.

Thomas, who succeeded the now stricken Tom Willis and Ashley Smith as stand-in skipper for the injured Luke Charteris, says the players share their supporters’ frustrations.

“We are being hurt by inaccuracy and a colossal amount of penalties and when you are in a bit of a trough you compound mistakes,” said the 34-year-old.

“But the only way to turn that situation around is to get good results – suddenly there would be a different feeling in the camp and the small things in games would go our way and make a big difference.

“We definitely need a win at home and will be trying to do it for the fans, because they come faithfully to back us all the time.”

If the Dragons are to win then they will need to halt a poor league run against the Scarlets, who are looking for their eight success on the spin.