HOOKER Elliot Dee has been earning rave reviews for his performances in a Newport Gwent Dragons jersey of late, with some even tipping him for international honours Down Under this summer.

Last weekend, the 22-year-old faced arguably his toughest opponent to date in Springbok star Bismarck du Plessis, but Dee gave as good as he got against the World Cup winner.

On Saturday he locks horns with Wales ace Ken Owens as the Dragons meet the Scarlets at the Principality Stadium on Judgement Day.

Scarlets skipper Owens and Dee went toe-to-toe when the two sides met earlier in the season, the West Wales region coming out on top 25-15 on that occasion.

But even though he is set to renew rivalries with Dee this weekend, Owens is one of those impressed by the form Dee has shown this term.

“He has been playing very well all year,” said Owens of the former Wales Under-20 international.

“I played against him in November and he is a quality player with a bright future ahead of him.

“I am looking forward to another challenge against him.

“That is what derbies are all about, having these battles.”

And despite the Dragons being on an eight-match losing run, Owens has a lot of respect for Kingsley Jones’ men, who sit 10th in the Guinness Pro12.

“They have improved,” added Owens, whose side are chasing a place in the play-offs.

“They have got the most amount of losing bonus in the league, they have been in most games, and have had big wins in Europe which will give them confidence.

“They play some good stuff and I am sure there will be plenty of heart and determination to put in a big shift on Saturday.

“They have threats across the pitch, Toby (Faletau), Hallam (Amos), Tyler (Morgan), Adam Warren and Nic Cudd, who has got the most turnovers in the league this season.

“They are a quality side and we are going to have to be wary of them.”

Successive defeats for the Scarlets, against Cardiff Blues and Glasgow, will give the Dragons hope for Saturday, and for Owens it is about keeping a positive frame of mind with so much on the line.

“We have got to be positive rather than negative, and looking over our shoulder is negative,” he said.

“It is a frustration, but that is how the league has gone, you have got to keep a positive attitude.

“We have looked to rectify the issues and hopefully we can put in a good performance on Saturday against a very good Dragons side.”