SCRUM-HALF Richie Rees has vowed to keep on grafting as Newport Gwent Dragons attempt to build on a fantastic start to the RaboDirect Pro12 season.

The Dragons downed the Scarlets 23-16 at Rodney Parade last Friday, their second raucous home success of the season after upsetting Ulster on opening weekend.

After suffering some disheartening drubbings in 2012/13 the green shoots of recovery are clear for all to see in Gwent.

The revival, according to Rees, is down to elbow grease on and off the pitch.

"All 23 boys were fantastic against the Scarlets and we were delighted to come away with the victory," said the 30-year-old summer arrival from Edinburgh.

"Some of them hadn't beaten the Scarlets before and that win gives us more confidence.

"We just want to carry on building and see how the season pans out, we'll keep working hard and hopefully keep progressing.

"The work rate in pre-season was fantastic and I think that is showing but there is a fair bit more to come from us.

"We've put in three good performances but we'll quickly put the Scarlets win to bed and start preparing for Munster on Saturday."

Rees was the only player in the backs over the age of 24 but was in between Toby Faletau and Jason Tovey to form a seasoned 8-9-10 combination.

"Experience is something that the Dragons might have lacked last season but the talent's coming through," said Rees, who won 9 caps for Wales.

"I hadn't seen a great deal of Jack Dixon and Hallam Amos but they will be massive figures for Wales in the future while Ross Wardle was fantastic tonight.

"But I think that (full-back) Dan Evans has probably been the standout performer in all three games, he is so safe and has been fantastic so far this season."