NEWPORT Gwent Dragons flanker Nic Cudd is relishing the chance to lock horns with another breakdown menace when he returns to Parc y Scarlets tomorrow.

The 27-year-old openside has established himself as one of the Guinness Pro12’s shrewdest contact area operators since heading to Rodney Parade from Llanelli in 2012.

But his return to his old stomping ground will see him go head to head with another seven who has proved to be a pain in the backside for opponents at the ruck.

James Davies has been to the fore in helping the Scarlets win all five games so far this season and the 25-year-old was man of the match in last weekend’s 25-22 success against Munster.

Wales are blessed with options at 7 but it only seems a matter of time before Davies, players’ and fans player of the season for his 2014/15 exploits with the Scarlets, joins older brother Jonathan on the Test scene, and another stellar display in a derby would give Warren Gatland another nudge.

Cudd rarely leaves the field without a cut or black eye so tomorrow’s battle promises to be every bit as uncompromising as the tussle between New Zealand’s Richie McCaw and Australia’s double threat of David Pocock and Michael Hooper at the World Cup final at Twickenham the following afternoon.

“James is having a very good start to the season. He is a very good player over the ball and busy around the field as well,” said Cudd.

“He is complimented by John Barclay and Aaron Shingler or Lewis Rawlins in the back row.

“I’ve played him a few times and they have always been good battles, we are quite similar players.

“You just have to concentrate on yourself rather than worrying about individual battles; concentrate too much on one player and holes will open up for others.

“But you have to be aware of him because he has been excellent in turning the ball over so we will be aware of him and try our best to stop him.”

The Dragons head into the game on the back of a hard-earned 19-12 home victory against Treviso but are well aware that improvements are needed if they are to become the first side to beat the Scarlets this season.

“We need to be a bit more patient with the ball,” said Cudd, who scored the solitary try last weekend from a driving lineout.

“We did some good starter plays but lost the ball in contact and pushed a few passes. We need to go through one or two more phases for things to open up.”

“The Scarlets have had an excellent start to the season and have won every game so we know we will have to be at our best to get the result.”

Cudd remains a popular figure out west after coming through the Scarlets academy and starring at Llanelli RFC before moving east to get regular regional rugby.

“It’s been a few years since I’ve been at the Scarlets and I try to treat it like any other game,” said the flanker, who will make his 73rd Dragons appearance.

“But derbies are special and a lot of the boys know each other and love to try and get one up on each other. There’s a bit of spice.”