GWENT Dragons are set to sign Bristol's Scottish international back row forward Ross Beattie this week.

Beattie came through the first of a series of fitness tests on Friday and will have more in the next two days.

"Ross did speed and endurance tests on Friday and he will have more tests today, but he should sign this week," said Gwent coach Mike Ruddock.

Beattie, who made two appearances as a replacement for Scotland last season in the Six Nations, will replace Andy Powell in the Gwent squad, Powell having joined French club Beziers.

There are, however, no developments over the possible signing by Gwent Dragons of South African centre Robbie Fleck.

The Dragons play their first friendly this week when they travel to Penzance on Friday night.

Penzance have won promotion for the last two seasons and are now in the First Division of the English Leagues, still coached by former Pontypool, Newport and Wales lock Kevin Moseley.

"He will know everything about our players and we are expecting a very tough game,"

said Ruddock. "Penzance are a very good team and they have invested well.

"We're all looking forward to the game, we had a lighter week last week after six weeks of hard work and now we want a game situation.

"I want everyone to have a run, and I hope to see the whole squad during our three friendlies."

It gets progressively harder for Gwent, with Leeds to come at Pontypool Park on Friday August 22 (7pm) and Harlequins at Rodney Parade on August 25 (2.30pm).

Meanwhile, the WRU District A (Gwent) clubs have no official reaction to the decision by WRU chief David Moffett and the board to reaffirm the budget.

That means they still want clubs from division two down to take cuts from £8,000 each to £6,000, and Moffett and new chairman David Pickering plan to travel the districts to try to get across their reasons.

But already the West Wales clubs are making threatening noises, saying the WRU pair would have to be invited to address their meetings, and also indicating they could well call for another egm when a vote of no confidence could be passed.

But District A secretary Les Gardner said, "If they asked to attend our meeting there would be no problem, though we're not due to meet until September 1."