NEWPORT Gwent Dragons pair Hal Luscombe and Steve Jones have been added to the Wales squad for this month's internationals against South Africa, Romania, New Zealand and Japan.

The call-ups mean the Dragons have now got eight players in national squads this month which will seriously weaken them for their top-of-the-table Celtic League clash against Neath-Swansea Ospreys at Rodney Parade on Friday and for their following three games against Munster away, Edinburgh again at home and Connacht away.

The pair were drafted in before yesterday's Heineken Cup triumph against Edinburgh at Murrayfield, but their performances against the Scots would have enhanced their chances of playing.

Luscombe played in Wales' last three internationals on tour in the summer and is now back to fitness and form after missing a month with a damaged shoulder. He also has the advantage of being able to play in the centre or on the wing.

Jones, a highly consistent hooker, was included in the initial Wales training squad, but has not made the full squad and with players like Robin McBryde and Huw Bennett absent could well challenge Mefin Davies.

"I'm happy for Steve, he's got a great attitude and he always makes a big effort," said Dragons coach Chris Anderson in Edinburgh last night.

The other four Dragons involved with Wales are Ceri Sweeney, Gareth Cooper, Michael Owen and Luke Charteris plus Percy Montgomery with South Africa and Ross Beattie with Scotland, who stayed behind last night for training with the Scottish squad.

But there is a major doubt whether Cooper will make it for Wales in their first match against South Africa at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday. He withdrew from the Dragons team against Edinburgh and says he is still in some trouble.

"I'm still in some pain and if I can't train on Monday and Tuesday then I'm in trouble," he admitted.

"The doctors assure me it's only bruising and that there's no structural damage, but it still doesn't feel right."

One Dragon who will not be missing this month is prop Rod Snow who has pulled out of Canada's games against England and Italy.

The Dragons 17-13 victory at Murrayfield yesterday makes them the only Welsh team to have recorded a victory in eight group matches in the Heineken Cup this season.

Their pool is wide open now, the Dragons with Perpignan on five points, three behind leaders Newcastle. They believe it could go right down to the last game in Newcastle in January.