THE Scarlets fly out for their Magners League bow in Italy today with wing Andy Fenby summing up the determination within the squad, declaring: "We don't want to be also-rans again".

Outside of Parc y Scarlets, little is expected of Nigel Davies's side this season.

At the Magners League launch at the Millennium Stadium last week, all the talk was of the two Irish thoroughbreds of Leinster and Munster vying for the trophy against the big two in Wales — defending champions the Ospreys and a bolstered Blues, with Ulster as the dark horses.

On the face of it, those views are understandable when you reflect on the Scarlets' struggles in the league last season and the fact they have done little to strengthen the squad during the summer.

Optimism

But there has been a mood of optimism down west over the last few weeks, with Davies's men viewing tomorrow evening's clash against Treviso at the Stadio Monigo (6.05 BST) as an opportunity rather than a banana skin.

"We are expecting a tough game," said Fenby.

"Treviso have stated their intention that they are not here to make up the numbers and this is their first game in the Magners League at their place, but we have set high standards for the team and as individuals so this is a great game for us to go out and start the season on a high.

"It really hurt us being the fourth-placed Welsh region last season — we don't want to be in that position again.

Pushing

"But we don't just want to be the third-placed, we want to be pushing for the latter stages of the competition.

"We don't want to settle for second best."

An unheralded arrival from English league side Blaydon last summer, the Rhos-on-Sea-born accountant enjoyed an impressive first season of professional rugby.

He established himself as a regular out wide, making 24 appearances, including four in the Heineken Cup matches and the Amlin Challenge Cup quarter- final defeat in Toulon.

The premature retirement of Wales wing Mark Jones may have opened up further opportunities for game time, but Fenby knows that he, like the Scarlets, needs to hit the ground running, with 18-year-old George North, Joe Ajuwa, Lee Williams and Scotland international Sean Lamont all competing for first-team places.

"In terms of my goals and playing the amount of games I did, last season surpassed my wildest dreams," added Fenby.

"Now it is a case of performing consistently week in, week out. With the likes of Joe Ajuwa and George North coming through and looking pretty sharp, competition is hot.

"But I feel as if I have developed as a player. This has been my first full pre-season in professional rugby — I was injured at the start of last season — and I feel I have really benefited from it.

"I feel faster, fitter and stronger. Brad (Harrington) has been brilliant with his various programmes."

"The style the Scarlets are looking to play also suits me," added the 25-year-old. "It is attractive, it fits in with the history and tradition of the club and for a winger it means plenty of ball, plenty of chances and hopefully some tries as well."