THE Scarlets will profit from longer recovery time between festive derbies when they take on the Dragons in Llanelli on New Year’s Day courtesy of a fixture clash.

The Rodney Parade club will have a swift six-day turnaround from their Boxing Day derby against Cardiff in Newport to their trip west.

Dai Flanagan’s key players will have to dig deep when doubling up and their preparation time will be limited between taking on the Blue and Blacks on the Thursday afternoon (kick-off 3pm) and heading to Llanelli to start 2025 on the Wednesday (kick-off 5.15pm).

The Scarlets, meanwhile, will have longer to nurse their bruises from their short trip to face the Ospreys, with that game now taking place before Christmas.

Swansea City will entertain Queens Park Rangers on December 26 and that means the United Rugby Championship fixture has been brought forward to Saturday, December 21.

The Ospreys played Cardiff in Bridgend last season but the Scarlets game is likely to draw a bumper crowd at the 21,000-capacity Swansea.com Stadium.

It is set to be their last season at the venue with a move across the city to St Helen’s planned in time for the start of 2025/26.

The Dragons have big gaps either side of their festive derbies; they travel to Newcastle in the Challenge Cup on Sunday, December 15 then host Pau on Sunday, January 12.

CHALLENGING: The Dragons beat the Scarlets in horrendous conditions on New Year's DayCHALLENGING: The Dragons beat the Scarlets in horrendous conditions on New Year's Day (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

They beat the Scarlets in horrendous conditions on New Year's Day in Newport last season courtesy of Wales fly-half Sam Costelow's surprise close-range miss from the kicking tee.

Dwayne Peel's side got revenge with a comprehensive victory to finish the campaign at the Cardiff City Stadium Judgement Day.

The Dragons start their URC campaign against the Ospreys in Newport on Saturday, September 21 with tickets now on sale.

Flanagan's men play Hartpury University RFC in a friendly at Rodney Parade a week on Saturday before short trips over the Severn Bridge to take on Bristol and Bath on Friday, September 6 and 13.