The Men of Gwent crashed to a record defeat at the hands of the Ospreys last Friday, allowing the Swansea-based region climb to leap-frog the Scarlets in the PRO12.
With just four rounds to go in the competition any slip-ups at the Millennium Stadium could prove costly and Easterby expects the Dragons to breathe fire.
“They may be suffering a bit at the moment, but they will be up for this — it will be very competitive and they’d like nothing more than to take away our chances for the top four,” said Easterby.
“The Dragons may not be pleased with their regional form, but when they get things going we know they are a very dangerous team.”
Easterby’s charges have won their last nine league encounters with the Dragons but he insists the formbook and history will count for nothing.
“Whenever we play the Dragons they will be as much as a challenge as they have always been and while they may not be playing at home, they will be as up for this,” he added.
“It’s a chance for both sides to go and play and thrive on the occasion and enjoy the kind of rugby you can play on the Millennium Stadium pitch.
“It’s also a crucial game for us. A play-off place can be taken away from us quickly if we don’t perform.”
Dan Lydiate will again be unleashed as he continues his comeback from a broken ankle and Dragons head coach Darren Edwards admits he will up his game-time.
“We could only play Dan for 40 minutes (against Ospreys), so we were compromised in some ways, but it was important to get him out on the pitch,” said Edwards.
“I thought that he did very well and was hunting tackles like he is known for.
“I am sure there will be another step up in his performance now that he has got that game under his belt.
“Dan will go flat out until he drops against the Scarlets.”
