DRAGONS coach Mike Ruddock has kept faith with the same 15 players who beat Leinster so convincingly at Rodney Parade last Friday.

Ruddock has named an unchanged side for tonight's crunch Celtic League clash against Llanelli at Rodney Parade, meaning Percy Montgomery continues at outside centre and fellow South African Bobby Skinstad starts on the bench.

The Dragons coach has kept faith with Shawn Van Rensburg at number eight and Sione Tuipulotu continues at full-back.

There is a recall into the regional set-up for Ebbw Vale second-row Neil Edwards, released at the time of administration, who is among the replacements.

Tonight's game sees second (Newport & Gwent Dragons) take on third (Llanelli Scarlets) and Ruddock is banking on the Rodney Parade factor to inspire his side to victory.

"It seems that every match we talk about at the moment is massive but this is another important game," he said.

"Last Friday was a hugely impressive performance but tonight is a different prospect altogether.

"We were going for the bonus point then but tonight we'll be happy with a win.

"We're at home and the Rodney Parade factor is huge for us. Just as it is never easy going to Stradey Park and getting a result, the same applies to Rodney Parade and we'll be hoping that the home crowd can get on the referee's back and pressure him to award us the 50/50 decisions."

Although Llanelli are without several key players, Ruddock laughs off suggestions that they are under strength.

"Their team is excellent despite the loss of their internationals," he said. "It is the best squad in Welsh rugby and you've got to say well done to them for that, so it gives us something to aim for.

"They'll have the likes of Chris Wyatt, Vernon Cooper, Mark Taylor, Scott Quinnell, Matthew J Watkins, Barry Davies and Garan Evans so it'll be a tough proposition."

Ruddock was delighted with several performances last Friday, including those of Percy Montgomery and Andy Marinos at centre. And the former Ebbw Vale and Leinster coach is looking forward to seeing how that combination do against one of the best midfields in Welsh rugby.

"We'll certainly learn more about Percy Montgomery on Friday night," said Ruddock. He'll probably be up against Matthew J Watkins and Mark Taylor and we'll see if that partnership with Andy can work against that type of defence and whether Monty can perform in that role.

"They complement each other very well but Sione Tuipulotu has had a big season and deserves another run in the side which made my decision easier."

Certainly, skipper Marinos is enjoying his new partnership with Montgomery. "His style of play suits me and it certainly worked last Friday," said Marinos. " That's not to say that I don't like playing with Steve Winn and Hal Luscombe but I guess Percy creates a lot of attention on the pitch and I found that freed me up. Hopefully that'll be the case on Friday."

Hal Luscombe returns to the squad but has to be content with a place on the bench with Winn not making the 22.

Ruddock continues at number eight with Skinstad still not 100 per cent fit.

"It's great to be involved again and rewarded for playing well," said Van Rensburg. I've had some pretty low points over the past few months and all I could do is work hard and wait for my chance. But I've remained positive and I look forward to tonight's challenge.

"They've got some big second-row forwards and of course Scott Quinnell, so we just have to make sure we take the game to them and hit them hard in the first tackle."

Dragons team: S Tuipulotu, N Brew, P Montgomery, A Marinos (captain), B Breeze, C Warlow, G Baber, A Black, S Jones, C Anthony, I Gough, P Sidoli, J Ringer, J Forster, S Van Rensburg. Replacements: P Young, R Snow, N Edwards, B Skinstad, R Jones, L Jarvis.

Scarlets team: B Davies, R Rees, M Taylor, M Watkins, T Selley, G Bowen, M Phillips, P John, A Gravelle, J Davies, V Cooper (captain), A Jones, D Hodges, S Quinnell, G Williams. Replacements: I Thomas, A Yelland, C Wyatt, E Lewis, D Burn, C Thomas, D Rogers. Kick off 7pm.