NEWPORT chief executive Tony Brown today described an imminent capture of South African Test star Joost van der Westhuizen or anyone else as "pure speculation".

He agreed Newport hoped to make one big-name signing before the start of next season and that the club were talking to various people.

But he said tonight's board meeting, contrary to reports elsewhere, was a routine monthly meeting and the signing of new players was not on the agenda.

Van der Westhuizen, who played for the Barbarians against Wales on Sunday, has been linked with Newport for months.

Other top names rumoured to be on the club's "hit list" have included Joe Roff, Keith Wood, Tim Horan and Lawrence Dallaglio.

But the club have consistently refused to comment on such rumours and Brown said today: "Everything written or said has been speculation.

"Tonight's board meeting is nothing to do with signing any players. "If you listen to people they mention everyone from Andrew Mehrtens, to Jonah Lomu, to Lawrence Dallaglio, to Keith Wood to anybody else joining Newport.

"Dallaglio signed a three-year contract with Wasps a few months ago and as far as I'm aware Wood is still under contract at Harlequins.

"A lot that has been said is speculation, a lot is incorrect and until somebody puts pen to paper I can't say anything. We are hoping to make a signing, there are talks going on in certain areas, but until somebody signs we will not say anything."