NEWPORT Gwent Dragons will this week step up their efforts to complete the signings of the Celtic Warriors players they are interested in adding to their squad.

Wales half backs Ceri Sweeney and Gareth Cooper are their main targets along with centre Jon Bryant and flanker Ryan Jones.

Sweeney has always indicated the Dragons were his favoured option after the demise of the Warriors, certain to be confirmed, probably on Friday.

But Cooper and Bryant too now look likely to put pen to paper with Jones a probability because he previously played at Newport.

The Dragons have refused to confirm a report that Sweeney and Cooper had already signed.

"We are talking to various people and if and when there is something to announce we will do so in the appropriate way," said new chief executive Andy Marinos.

"But I don't expect any announcement in the coming week."

Another Dragons source said: "I think you'll find Sweeney will be heading our way and you won't be far away with the others."

The build-up to the Wales v Barbarians game and the forthcoming tour of Argentina this week may delay some negotiations.

Sweeney is involved and Bryant too has been added as a stand-by in case Tom Shanklin's knee injury forces him out of the trip.

Meanwhile the Dragons have described as "pure speculation" reports linking new Irish coach Declan Kidney with Leinster.

Kidney was in Newport last week and met the players while he will be here again this week and is likely to be involved in talks concerning new signings.

Leinster No 2 Willie Anderson is to join Matt Williams as Scotland's No 2 but though there has been talk for some months that Leinster might sack top man Gary Ella, nothing has materialised.

Kidney is understood to have a release clause in his Newport contract at his insistence, so while a top job in his own country would obviously interest him, there isn't one available.