PAUL Turner, the new Newport Gwent Dragons coach, has laid out a shopping list of the type of player he would like to see at Rodney Parade next season, as well as exploring the possibility of a new role for outside half Ceri Sweeney.

Within hours of being officially unveiled as new coach Turner declared his wish list of a loose head prop, a 'hairy' back row forward like Peter Buxton, who was with Newport a few years ago before joining Gloucester, and an outside centre who can kick with his left foot.

"That is my vision of what we probably need," said Turner. "That's what we're trying to work to, though we're nowhere near it at the moment.

"Everyone has got his wish list, but this region has probably missed a Peter Buxton type of player and when Percy (Montgomery) played at outside centre the Dragons had the option to get out of tight spots.

"I'm fully aware of what's here and what is needed. Any new player has to be Welsh, if not I'd have to talk to the board. They tell me that money is available, though it's not what it was.

"I've got good contacts and can bring players in, but they've got to be the right ones. We need to fill in the gaps, but we've got to get it right because it's going to be a big season with sides at full strength.

"And I would say that any player in England who has ambitions to play for Wales should play in Wales," adding that ex-Newport prop Ceri Jones is still under contract with Harlequins, the club Turner has just left.

Sweeney has lost the plot somewhat at the Dragons with his wayward kicking at goal and out of hand, and he didn't endear himself to fans with his comments directed at the Newport element.

But Turner could be just the man to revive Sweeney - still a regular member of the Wales squad and in the party for North America next month - though possibly in a different role.

It didn't escape Turner's notice, or anyone else's including Wales coach Mike Ruddock, how Sweeney performed at inside centre when he was switched there in the second half in the Dragon's final match against Llanelli Scarlets.

"He's a fine player, Harlequins nearly signed him three years ago when he was at Pontypridd to replace Paul Burke, and I'm looking forward to working with him, though whether that's at 10 or 12 we'll see," said Turner.

"Playing at 10 is difficult, your goal kicking depends on your game and your game depends on your goalkicking which is why, I suppose, Jonny Wilkinson is the best in the world.

"I haven't see Ceri miss many, but it's always nice to have two kickers in the side. I see Ceri as a very good rugby player with a very good rugby brain, whether that's 10 or 12, time will tell.

As reported in later editions of yesterday's Argus, Dragons chief executive Andy Marinos will take up a position of rugby manager for all of South Africa's national squads next month.

Jim McCreedy, team manager for the past six years, will become rugby manager, a move Marinos described at yesterday's Press conference called "A huge step forward for the region.

"Jim has been the only constant figure since I've been here and as far back as 1997 which gives me a great deal of confidence with me moving that we've got the best men in Gwent."