SAM Davies believes the Dragons are building something special under Dean Ryan – and wants the derby scalps to prove it.

The Rodney Parade region head into the festive derbies in fine spirits thanks to a European Challenge Cup win against Worcester that gives them a big opportunity to qualify for the knockout stages in January.

Clashes with Castres and Enisei-STM loom but first is the small matter of Guinness PRO14 with their Welsh rivals.

The Dragons host the Scarlets on Saturday (kick-off 5.15pm), head to Cardiff Blues on Boxing Day and then entertain the Ospreys on the first weekend of 2020.

Davies was a victim of a famous win in Newport last season when he missed a late penalty for the Ospreys and now he wants to be on the right side of a raucous Rodney Parade roar.

Barry And District News:

"Derby games are great and I'd like to think I can add some value to the Dragons in them," said Davies.

"I've been involved with the Ospreys coming to Rodney Parade and it's a tough place to come, so it's about making it hard for all of the other regions.

"We are building something here. It would be a good statement to get some derby wins and I am looking forward to going into them.

"The integration of the Welsh boys has been very good for us, they have settled in really well and added value.

"Our squad is starting to look stronger and it will be a real test for us now. Worcester came here fully loaded, so that shows we can got head-to-head with top teams.

"The Scarlets, Blues and Ospreys will only test us more but we are looking forward to the challenges."

Davies has been a huge hit since heading east from the Liberty Stadium, flourishing thanks to the added responsibility of being the main man.

The 26-year-old has formed a canny half-back partnership with captain Rhodri Williams and believes they have the ability to adjust.

Barry And District News:

"The weather has impacted the way that we have had to play, we have had to adapt," said Davies. "What I think we are building is the ability to play the conditions.

"If it's a dry day then we have the ability to put it through the hands and if it's a wet night then we have ability to win through game management. As a team that's probably where me coming in has helped out.

"I think that we will be at our best when it's dry – and we showed glimpses of that away to Worcester when a man down – but nights like last Friday aren't about chucking the ball around and playing great rugby, it's just about getting the win."

Davies hoped that the move to the Dragons would reignite his Wales career and his early season form earned a first international appearance since the summer of 2017 in the uncapped game against the Barbarians.

Strong showings in the derbies would help his claim for a Six Nations spot alongside Dan Biggar and Jarrod Evans, but Davies isn't getting carried away.

"It's been a positive move for me and it was nice to be back involved in the Wales squad," said the left-footer.

"But for me it's just about focusing on the week in, week out. We've got big derby games coming up and my focus is solely on the Scarlets."

The Dragons ended a four-year derby drought with the victory against the Ospreys last Christmas and then upset the Scarlets at Judgement Day. They haven't beaten the Blues since a win at the Arms Park on Boxing Day, 2014.