WORLD star Percy Montgomery has given Newport Gwent Dragons a massive lift by signing for them until 2007.

He is currently resuming his international career with South Africa, but has signed a two-year extension to his existing two-and-a-half year contract at Rodney Parade.

That will effectively take him up to the end of his playing career for he will be 33 in 2007.

It is a clear statement of intent and an indication of how much he is enjoying his time in Wales.

Though South Africa wanted him back after relaxing their stance on including players who had gone abroad, Monty insisted he wanted to remain at Newport in his domestic career.

He had already won 50 caps when he joined and has now added four more to that total against Ireland, Wales, the Pacific Islanders and New Zealand this summer.

He has carried on where he left off with the Dragons by kicking virtually everything for the Springboks, including three touchline conversions against the All Blacks. He has also become the leading points scorer in South African history, overhauling Naas Botha's total of 365.

He scored 178 points in 19 appearances for the Dragons last season.

"Percy signing a new deal is a significant step forward and an indication that the world's best value the region and, more important, the ever growing stature of the Celtic League and the Heineken Cup," said Dragons chief executive Andy Marinos.

Flanker Jason Forster, capped by Wales at last against Argentina this summer, will take over the captaincy from Marinos.

He has a superb record with Newport and the Dragons, showing remarkable consistency in making 136 appearances and scoring 53 tries in five seasons.

He led Newport briefly five years agao until the arrival of Springbok legend Gary Teichman and is sure to lead by example next season.

Scrum half Gareth Baber will be vice-captain, reward for remarkable consistency last season. After missing the first three games he played in the next 26.

He will, however, be hard pressed to play as many this time in view of the arrival of Wales scrum half Gareth Cooper, but it is stressed that Baber's appointment is a club one.

Rod Snow's testimonial is a fitting reward for nearly 10 years at Rodney Parade when he has made almost 200 appearances and taken on iconic status.

His formidable figure has been almost as prominent down the wing as in the scrum. He never gives less than 100% and his charges strike fear into the heart of friend and foe alike.

He has a special game, a golf day and black tie dinner planned, with dates to be announced soon.

"He is one of the true legends of the area and gets due recognition," said Marinos.

The Dragons squad has been completed by the naming of four development players - Richard Dale, Sam Waldron, Gethin Robinson and Richard Payne.

"The squad is possibly the strongest we have seen at Rodney Parade since the revival under Tony Brown," said Marinos.