SCARLETS head coach Simon Easterby believes the forthcoming derby dates against the Blues and the Ospreys will be as ferocious as any European contest.
The West Wales region begin a testing series of away fixtures at the Arms Park this evening (7.05) before heading across the Loughor Bridge to the Liberty Stadium to take on the Ospreys on Boxing Day.
With league leaders Ulster to come at Ravenhill in January, the Scarlets are facing a period that will severely test their Pro12 play-off credentials.
But Easterby is confident his men are up to the task.
"Both our games against the Blues and Ospreys will have the same intensity and ferocity of any Heineken game, derbies are made that way and there won't be much in it or between the sides," said the former Ireland international flanker.
"We have three big games ahead of us and we can't afford to lose any of the positive momentum we've gained in the league so far."
The Scarlets' cause has been boosted by the return from injury of influential back-rowers Josh Turnbull and Aaron Shingler, with Shingler selected in the unaccustomed position of seven, in direct opposition to Wales skipper Sam Warburton.
In the wake of last weekend's 30-20 Heineken Cup defeat to Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park, Easterby has made a number of changes up front with prop Phil John, hooker Emyr Phillips and South African lock Joe Snyman recalled to the starting XV.
Tavis Knoyle starts at scrum-half after being named on the bench for the matches against the Chiefs, while Andy Fenby is also back on the wing in place of Gareth Maule.
The Scarlets go into the match looking to consolidate second spot in the Pro12 table.
But Easterby has acknowledged the Blues will be desperate to halt a slide that has seen them plummet to ninth in the league standings.
"Phil Davies's sides are always well-prepared and I'm sure he will have a couple of things up his sleeve," added Easterby.
"Ultimately, it will come down to who is the sharpest, who starts the best and ultimately how much we want to win it.
"On the whole, our players have responded well this season away from home and we have three massive games on the road now,'' he went on.
"I know all our players just want to get out there and play in these next three games.
"The short turnaround isn't going to affect them because mentally, every single one of us wants to show what we are about and give a much better account of ourselves."