Not only does he need game time before the NRL season opener against the Eels, but the Dragons are badly in need of the first choice centre following the season-ending knee injury to recruit Peni Tagive on Saturday night.

After missing most of last season with a shoulder injury, Tagive underwent further scans on his knee yesterday afternoon, but is expected to have the bad news confirmed today that his year is over.

But - with Matt Cooper also to comeback from hamstring tightness - Scott's inclusion is a crucial part of the plan to shut down powerful ball-runner Dave Taylor.

Dragons fans will remember Taylor for his devastating and game-altering runs on Scott's side of the field in Brisbane's 12-2 victory at WIN Stadium last season.

It was the game that put the Broncos on a finals charge and cast major doubts over St George Illawarra's title credentials.

Taylor is expected to be back to terrorise the Dragons again for new club South Sydney.

However, after the 16-14 victory over the Bulldogs, five-eighth Jamie Soward - who defends outside Scott on the right edge - claims they are better prepared than ever to close Taylor's attacking raids.

"We scrambled well (against the Dogs), they went with us for a little while but we showed we got our defence in order," he said.

"And we get Beau Scott back next week and obviously Coops didn't play and they're pretty big parts of our edge defence.

"Once those guys come back you'll probably see our full-strength teams and hopefully our defence is even better."