NEWPORT Gwent Dragons centre Hal Luscombe has been targeted by the other three Welsh regions, as well as by clubs in England and a province in his native South Africa.

The Wales threequarter is out of contract with the Dragons at the end of the season and is in big demand with Cardiff Blues, who are recruiting fast, believed to be heading the queue to sign him.

But the Dragons are also determined to retain the services of this talented player, a regular for them at outside centre though playing for Wales on the wing so far in his career.

He has suffered from his share of injuries, but his height and pace makes him a difficult opponent and his defence has improved considerably as well.

Though missing five matches for the Dragons this season with a broken thumb his aggressive, penetrating running has made him a danger almost every time he's been in possession.

Llanelli Scarlets and the Ospreys are also keen to sign him, while Guinness Premiership clubs are also in for him, and there has even been interest back in South Africa where he grew up and played his schoolboy rugby.

"I'm coming out of contract and I'm in negotiations with the Dragons at the moment," said Luscombe who remains keen to stay at Rodney Parade, where he has been for five years as a senior player, especially after former benefactor Tony Brown brought him over to Wales.

The Dragons can ill afford to lose a player of his ability, and the board will at least have to prove they retain the ambition to make an impression in Europe if they are to hold on to him.

He believes there are areas of his game where he still needs to improve, and he is frustrated by the Dragons' position.

every part of my game will be tested, and there are parts I need to improve," he said.

"I've got personal goals, but at the same time there are team goals. We've got the players here, we just need to be consistent with our performances.

"We almost beat Edinburgh away which shows we can be competitive.

"When I first came here and when the Dragons first started up we were almost portrayed as the left over side.

"Mike Ruddock used it very well to create a mentality where you go out and play for each other and prove everyone wrong.

"That feeling is still with me and it burns when we are lingering near the bottom of the table. You want to be as good as possible or you wouldn't be in professional sport.

"Everyone has bought into where we are going as a team and the type of game we are trying to play as well as the players we are developing.

"I feel we are going in the right direction and it was a great victory against the Ospreys, but it means nothing if we slip up against Connacht on Friday for all the hard work we have put in would be undone. We've been talking about it all week.

"Connacht are a very honest side who do the basics right and are very dangerous opponents, but we've got to take ourselves up the table and secure a Heineken Cup place."