NEWPORT Gwent Drag-ons today began the search for a new head coach after Irishman Declan Kidney confirmed he was leaving to take up the post at Leinster.

Dragons chief executive Andy Marinos was still denying the story today and said the board had not even raised the matter with Kidney at a meeting yesterday.

"It's not for us to raise the matter with him. It's for him to tell us if there's anything to tell," said Marinos.

But the Argus understands that Kidney has confirmed to sources in Ireland that he has left and that he will be unveiled as the new Leinster coach later this week.

Marinos also denied that Wales half back pair Ceri Sweeney and Gareth Cooper and their former Celtic Warriors skipper Richard Bryan had signed for the club.

But again the Argus, who first disclosed Sweeney and Cooper were the Dragons' prime targets, understand the pair, and Englishman Bryan, soon to qualify for Wales, have put pen to paper, Bryan seen as the ideal replacement for the released Bob Skinstad.

The Dragons are also still hoping to sign other redundant Warriors Jon Bryant (centre), Gareth Wyatt (wing) and Ryan Jones (flanker).

The Dragons will get around £50,000 compensation for the loss of former Munster coach and Ireland assistant coach Kidney, who will leave Rodney Parade after less than three weeks in charge.

And the Dragons so far have no definite replacement in mind with two people mentioned as possible candidates, former Leicester chief Dean Richards and Warriors counterpart Lynn Howells, out of the running.

The Dragons are eventually likely to confirm Newport coach Leigh Jones as their forwards supremo, leaving a backs coach to take over as No 1.

The name of former Newport chief and Warriors assistant Allan Lewis has again been mentioned, but it is unthinkable the Dragons will go down that route.

Lewis was released by then and now Dragons benefactor Tony Brown four years ago after a not particularly successful time in charge.

A return to the former Llanelli man, a Wales backs coach under Graham Henry, would be extremely unpopular with supporters.

Kidney met with Dragons directors and chief executive Andy Marinos yesterday for what was originally scheduled as a routine meeting.

Many matters were discussed but, despite Marinos' denial, it is understood Kidney's future took centre stage with the Irishman confirming he wanted to be released under the terms of his contract.

He always wanted to remain in Ireland should a post become available because he did not want to uproot his family.

He had previously been linked with Leinster, where he is the players' choice, before joining the Dragons where he intended to commute back and forth to Wales.

But it was only when Australian coach Gary Ella quit Leinster this week before being pushed that the job there became available.

What chance now Ella, a backs coach of repute, joining the Dragons. That would indeed be ironic.