IT wasn't long ago that the quest for Europe's Holy Grail — the Heineken Cup — was all that mattered down west.

Two semi-finals came and went in agonising fashion, not to mention a string of quarter-finals and with them a string of missed opportunities.

But as head coach Nigel Davies leads his side into another marathon season in a north east corner of Italy this evening, it is clear that focus has shifted a bit closer to home.

"The priority for us this season is making the Magners a priority," said Davies, ahead of the tricky league opener against newcomers Benetton Treviso at the Stadio Monigo (6.50 BST).

"In the past we've maybe been guilty of concentrating on Europe.

"Yes, Europe is very important to us and we want to do well there.

"But it's a very difficult competition, it's such a short burst of games that if you get it wrong it's very difficult.

"The Magners League is what we do week-in week-out and we have to make sure we are strong in that and focus a lot of our efforts on this."

The irony for Davies is that last season, the Scarlets did pretty well in continental competition.

They doubled English high-flyers London Irish, beat Brive home and away and pushed Toulon hard in the south of France before eventually succumbing late on.

Yet last season the Scarlets were judged on their struggles in the Magners League.

They won just five games — only four at home — finished just three points above perennial basement boys Connacht and 10 adrift of the next Welsh region, the Dragons, who crucially occupied the final European qualification spot.

Of course, the Scarlets were eventually reprieved by the Blues' heroics in Marseille, but Davies accepts his men cannot afford another season of under-achievement.

"I sense there is a real potential in this side and we have to realise that this season," added Davies.

"It's probably the strongest squad I've had since I've been here.

"We have had that development phase with a big group of young players who have been exposed over the last 18 months and are now ready to front up.

"What's exciting is we've got a significant number of good experienced players who have still got a lot of rugby to play, people like Stephen Jones, Matthew Rees, Sean Lamont and David Lyons, who we have been able to hold on to, which has been very important for us.

"We've also got a new crop of younger Scarlets coming through who are pushing hard and will surprise a few people.

"The time when you know you've got a squad coming together is when selections start to become a problem, but a nice problem."

The return of classy Kiwi centre Regan King, who has looked back to his silky best in pre-season, could be crucial in a potent-looking back division that at full strength will include Stephen Jones, Sean Lamont, Jonathan Davies and the fit-again Morgan Stoddart.

Elsewhere, Rhys Priestland is developing into a top-class No. 10, 18-year-old George North looks a player with potential to match his 6ft 4in 17st frame, while Stoddart seems a player on a mission to finally put his injury woes behind him.

Yet the question marks about this Scarlets side are the same as they have been for the last five or six years.

The grace is there, but do they possess the grunt?

Davies has thrown down the gauntlet to the likes of locks Lou Reed and Dominic Day to produce a big campaign, while prop Rhys Thomas, after all his problems, needs to repay the faith shown in him.

Much will rely on Wallaby talisman David Lyons to provide the go-forward, while there will be plenty of eyes on the progress of back-rower Rob McCusker, who made a big impact with Wales on the summer tour of New Zealand.

Injuries to the in-form Priestland and Stoddart have hampered preparations this week for a game that the Italians will target as their statement of intent in the revamped cross-border competition.

The home side is stacked with Azzurri internationals in the form of hooker Leornardo Ghiraldini, half-backs Luke McLean and Simon Picone and flanker Alessandro Zanni, not to mention the overseas influence provided by livewire full-back Brendan Williams, Tongan flanker Manoa Vosawai and former Bath wing Joe Maddock.

Perpignan, Bath, Wasps, Bourgoin, Harlequins and Llanelli — 42-25 in 1997-98 — have all had that sinking feeling in the city that neighbours the stunning canals of Venice.

The Scarlets will be determined to avoid a similar fate this evening.