Scarlets coach Wayne Pivac has conceded they are already facing a crunch fixture in the Guinness Pro 12 just four weeks into the new season.
The Scarlets are without a single point, having already lost three matches and could find themselves in deeper trouble if they lose at home to champions Connacht on Saturday night.
But the Irish region have also lost their opening two games – and it probably would have been three if last week’s game against Zebre not been abandoned due to rain when the Italians were 22-10 ahead.
In recent seasons, the team finishing in the fourth and final play-off spot has tended to lose between five and eight matches during the regular season and Pivac admitted: “It’ll be a great contest, but you wouldn’t want to be the team that comes off second! This really is a big game for us.
“We’re obviously disappointed with where we are after three games and it’s not lost on the team. There’s a lot of hard work going on behind the scenes here at the Parc.
“I think it’s fair to say that the league position isn’t a true reflection of how we’re playing. We are creating enough opportunities to win games of rugby.”
The Scarlets failed to capitalise on those until late on against Ulster last Friday when they lost 19-8 in Belfast.
They will go into the game against Connacht facing a fourth successive defeat at Parc Y Scarlets – which would be a new low point at the stadium since they moved there in 2008.
Pivac added: “There were good aspects against Ulster, who are one of the better sides in the competition. It was a step up for us but we’re still after that win which we’re concentrating on getting this weekend.
“The frustrating part is that we’ve started well in all three games. The disappointment is that we haven’t been able to capitalise on those starts.”
