NEWPORT Gwent Drag-ons are poised to lose new coach Declan Kidney just three weeks after his appointment, despite protestations to the contrary.

Kidney was due in Wales today for a routine meeting with Dragons benefactor Tony Brown to discuss players and his coaching team, but instead his own future will be the talking point.

Dragons chief executive Andy Marinos told the Argus just last night: "Declan Kidney is not going anywhere. He has signed a two-year contract to be the Dragons coach and he will be honouring that contract."

Marinos described report's linking the former Munster coach with the job at Leinster, who yesterday parted company with Australian Gary Ella, as "pure speculation" .

But the Argus understands Kidney has spoken to Leinster and has told close Dragons confidants he is going. A report in the Dublin-based Irish Examiner this morning said: "Declan Kidney will replace Gary Ella as Leinster coach within the next few days...he is believed to be the players' choice for the job."

And an Irish Times report said a compensation deal of £40,000-£50,000 had already been agreed. Kidney had a release clause put in his contract in case a job nearer to home materialised.

Dragons director Martyn Hazell confirmed he too knew nothing of the possible loss of Kidney, but said he might have spoken directly to regional benefactor Tony Brown.

Neither Brown nor Kidney could be contacted this morning.

Hazell also said there would be no point standing in Kidney's way if he did want to move.

"There is no point in keeping someone if he doesn't want to be with you," said Hazell, "and do contracts mean anything nowadays?"

Celtic Warriors' chief coach Lyn Howells and former Newport coach Allan Lewis have been linked with the Dragons post should Kidney depart, but it is highly unlikely Brown would go down that route which would be highly unpopular with supporters.

The Warriors confirmed today they had been taken over by the WRU who are expected to confirm their closure.

On the player front, asked about reports Wales half backs Ceri Sweeney and Gareth Cooper had already signed for the Dragons, Marinos said: "I wish somebody had told me. I am the one who signs the contracts."

The pair plus fellow Celtic Warriors Jon Bryant, Gareth Wyatt and Ryan Jones have been strongly linked with the club, but Marinos again emphasised there was nothing to report.

"We are in negotiations with one or two people," he said.

"It is early days, there are still lots of things to be discussed and when we have something to report we will do so in a professional manner."