BUOYANT Newport Gwent Dragons today unveiled six new signings -- the five expected from Celtic Warriors, who were officially wound up yesterday, and former Newport hooker James Richards.

Wales half backs Gareth Cooper and Ceri Sweeney plus centre Jon Bryant, wing Gareth Wyatt, number eight Richard Bryan plus Richards will add enormously to the Dragons' strength in depth as they aim to do even better than last season in the Celtic League and make a big impression in Europe.

Richards is the surprise package, but he has been drafted in after the injury to Paul Young, who needs a complete reconstruction of his knee and will be out until February.

Richards failed to win a Dragons contract last season and moved to Zurich Premiership Leicester, playing against the Dragons in the Heineken Cup, but now returns to Rodney Parade.

Obviously Cooper and Sweeney are a class act, with 33 caps between them, Cooper playing right through the Six Nations last season after excelling in the World Cup as well.

Sweeney has played mainly second fiddle to Stephen Jones for Wales, but he's made his share of appearances both at outside half and in the centre. The pair will augment the formidable Dragons pack and provide the kind of cutting edge which has not always been present in the back division. That is not to say current pair Gareth Baber, who enjoyed a superb season, and Craig Warlow will not fight them all the way for places, but again it is all about strength in depth.

Neither Cooper nor Sweeney is short on confidence. Cooper is a cracking all-round player with a sharp break and top service while Sweeney at his best is a cheeky, darting, dodging type of player who can unlock the best of defences.

Both will add greatly to the appeal of the Dragons and should prove big crowd pullers.