BACKS coach Shaun Connor has urged his young Newport Gwent Dragons flyers to grasp their chance to shine in a 'Welsh trial' against the Scarlets' international stars.

The Dragons head to Llanelli in the Guinness Pro12 on Saturday (kick-off 7.35pm) to face a home side that is oozing quality behind the scrum, even in the absence of rested Lions centre Jonathan Davies.

The Scarlets can field four players that faced the All Blacks last summer in Liam Williams, Scott Williams, Rhys Patchell and Gareth Davies along with Canadian try machine DTH van der Merwe and ultra-consistent New Zealander Hadleigh Parkes.

This weekend's hosts have players who have established themselves in the Wales squad while the Dragons have a raft of young talent hoping to catch the eye of national boss Rob Howley ahead of the October 18 announcement of his autumn series squad.

Wing Hallam Amos, 22, and centre Tyler Morgan, 21, have had a taste of the Test scene, 21-year-old inside centre Jack Dixon was in the training squad for last year's World Cup while wing/full-back Tom Prydie, 24, won the last of his five caps in 2013 and speedster Ashton Hewitt, 21, was on the radar of the Wales coaching team after some excellent performance last year.

"These are exciting times for Welsh players with the squad being picked in a few weeks. It's more of less a Welsh trial," said former fly-half Connor.

"We've got lots of Welsh talent in the back line, we haven't finalised our team yet but a lot of them will be playing and it's a chance for them to show what they are capable of.

"It's a big stage for them and if they've got aspirations of playing international rugby then they need to perform."

He continued: "The Scarlets went on the record in the summer about how they think they may have one of the best back lines in Europe, so it's going to be a massive challenge for us but one that I am sure we will be up to.

"My job is to make sure our backs are prepared and excited by the challenge, because it's a Welsh trial and if our players can put their hands up it will stand them in good stead when Rob names his squad."

The Dragons are mulling over their selection for the trip west but are confident that South African lock Rynard Landman will overcome a calf problem and that tighthead Craig Mitchell will be fine despite missing training with a stiff back.

Loosehead prop Phil Price is back in full training after a summer shoulder operation and is expected to be in contention for a return shortly.