NEWPORT Gwent Dragons coach Mike Ruddock has dismissed reports linking them with Wales ace Iestyn Harris.

The Cardiff Blues outside half or inside centre, who is also linked with a return to rugby league, has been touted as a possible Dragons signing.

But Ruddock said: "I don't know anything about it. We haven't approached him. But if, like any other major player, he became available, we would have to consider it, subject to budget."

The Dragons are also being linked with Wales captain Colin Charvis, who is playing for Tarbes in the French second division, though any signing is considered unlikely with the back row the strongest part of the squad.

"His agent rang me and asked if I would be interested," said Ruddock. "I'm waiting to know what the budget is, then I'll get back to them."

Ruddock is likely to retain new signing Bobby Skinstad on the bench despite his try scoring debut against Leinster for Friday night's game against Llanelli.

And he will probably persist with the experiment of playing full back Percy Montgomery at outside centre after his blistering form there in Friday night's 35-14 victory over Leinster, scoring 15 points from a try and five conversions.

That lifted the Dragons into second in the Celtic League table, the best placed Welsh team. They are a point behind Ulster and a point ahead of Llanelli.

They hope to avenge two early season defeats against the Scarlets who will be without Wales squad players Garan Evans, Mark Taylor, Stephen Jones, Dwayne Peel, Robin McBryde, Iestyn Thomas and Dafydd Jones, plus Ireland's Simon Easterby. But that still leaves them Barry Davies, Salesi Finau, Matthew Watkins, skipper Leigh Davies if fit, Gareth Bowen, Mike Phillips, John Davies, Vernon Cooper, Chris Wyatt, Scott Quinnell and David Hodges.

"We have got every chance of doing it again. It's in our hands now, they've got to worry about us," said Ruddock.

"We wanted to hit these games with all our combinations sorted. We know what we've got now."