Pivac calls for swift start from Scarlets

The Welsh region kick-off the new campaign at home to Munster, then travel to Edinburgh and Ulster in back-to-back Friday night clashes, before champions Connacht visit Parc y Scarlets to conclude the month.

Scarlets recorded six successive victories at the beginning of last season and Pivac has been keen to stress the importance of a strong start once more.

"The first month is critical to the rest of the season," Pivac told the Scarlets official website.

"It's great for us to have a home game first up and last up. Munster were our last opposition at the end of last season, so we know a lot about them."

The first intra-union derby of the season comes against Newport Gwent Dragons on 8 October and is followed by a trip to Cardiff Blues.

Scarlets lost both contests with Danny Wilson's team last season as they missed out on a top-four finish, and Pivac is desperate for revenge.

"Blues were a major part of why we didn't make the top four last year so we will want to improve on our performances against them this season," he added.

"We finish the opening block of fixtures before the first rounds of Europe with a Welsh derby against Dragons at home before going straight into Cardiff Blues away after the Champions Cup.

"If Europe doesn't toughen us up for a big derby nothing will."

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