Scarlets head coach Wayne Pivac admits he is eager to oversee his first GUINNESS PRO12 derby when his side host Newport Gwent Dragons at Parc y Scarlets on Sunday.

The New Zealander has yet to face a Welsh region since taking charge over the summer and is urging his players to bounce back after their second draw of the season against Edinburgh last Friday.

Scrum-half Gareth Davies returns after being ruled out last weekend with concussion while Kristian Phillips replaces the injured Michael Tagicakibau on the wing and Rory Pitman slots in at No.8.

The hosts are unbeaten at Parc y Scarlets in GUINNESS PRO12 matches in 2014 and Pivac has challenged his side to continue their run to help raise support for the club.

And while the head coach is expecting his developing side to keep improving, he is all too aware of the physical threat posed by the Dragons.

"We're at a stage now where this game is vital,” he said.

"It's a home game and we need to perform well in front of home support. We want to grow our support base and in order to do that we have to perform well every week.

"We're all looking forward to the derby. Everybody talks about the derbies – it'll be my first one and being at home, that's fortunate.

"I'm expecting a very physical encounter from Dragons, they've emptied the tanks and taken a lot of energy into their games so far so we know they'll be very physical.

"I've been pleased with the competition and we're only scratching the surface after four weeks. I'd expect us to improve a hell of a lot from now until Christmas.”

The Men of Gwent have never triumphed at Parc y Scarlets and are without a league win on the road since defeating Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun in November 2013.

However, director of rugby Lyn Jones is confident his side are on the right track after securing their first win of the season with a 33-15 victory over Benetton Treviso last weekend.

The Dragons are boosted by the return of lock Ian Gough and hooker T. Rhys Thomas while skipper Lee Byrne retains his place at full-back.

And Jones believes his pack will have to take on Scarlets at the set-piece if the Dragons are to avenge a 34-23 defeat at the same ground in May.

"Scarlets came hard at us in the scrum last year,” he said. “I'd like to think that we could cover that this time around and make them play a little bit wider if they intend to beat us.

"But they're great occasions. Scarlets have got a really good attitude to play and they're very positive on the game. They're growing and putting some good rugby together."

At Parc y Scarlets, 4pm. Live on S4C
Referee: George Clancy (IRFU, 63rd competition game)
Assistant Referees: Wayne Davies, Jon Mason (both WRU)
Citing Commissioner: Aurwel Morgan (WRU)
TMO: Tim Hayes (WRU)