SAM Hobbs is relishing the chance to test himself against one of Europe's top props in a bid to help Newport Gwent Dragons 'change the derby script' against the Scarlets on Saturday.

The Dragons head west to face Llanelli (kick-off 7.35pm) looking for their first Guinness Pro12 win against Welsh rivals since beating Cardiff Blues in the capital on Boxing Day in 2014.

If they are to end that league drought then the men from Rodney Parade will need to thrive up front with loosehead Hobbs hoping to get the nod to lock horns with Wales tighthead Samson Lee.

The Lions hopeful made his return for the Scarlets following shoulder surgery when he played 40 minutes in their hard-fought 22-6 victory in Treviso last Saturday.

"Samson is coming back from his period out so I am sure he is going to be chomping at the bit to set down a marker this weekend," said Hobbs.

"Any time you play the Scarlets there is always a big set piece battle and they have got some good front five forwards, so it will be a good test.

"I've only played against him sparingly but you see what he has done in a regional jersey and an international jersey – he is one of the top tightheads in Europe. It's going to be a good test and he has a good scrummaging pack around him."

Hobbs has made a solid start to life at Rodney Parade after making the short trip east from Cardiff Blues in the summer.

The 28-year-old from Brecon helped stick the boot into the Dragons last season when his former side burgled the spoils in the festive derby in Newport, the closest that Kingsley Jones' team came to winning a Welsh derby in 2015/16.

"One of my personal targets when coming to the region was to put a big emphasis on winning some derbies and turning that script on its head," said Hobbs. "It gives the fans a bit of pride on a Monday morning when they go into work and gives the boys a bit of a lift.

"Looking back on last year, the Blues were lucky to win the Christmas derby so we have to take the application from that game, really get stuck in and just rip into the Scarlets.

"It's going to be a fierce derby and you have to turn up with pride and passion and get stuck in. If you can't get up for these games then you are in the wrong job, there are a lot of personal battles and a lot of pride at stake.

"We will be going in as underdogs but have to go there with nothing to lose, force our game on them to put them under pressure and see how they react."