NEWPORT Gwent Dragons have re-signed back row forward Shawn van Rensberg on a short-term contract until the end of the season.

He made 14 appearances for the Dragons in their first season two years ago, starting six games at number eight, three at blindside flanker and five as a replacement, before leaving towards the end of the season.

Since then he has been back in his native South Africa and more recently has played for French team Toulon, who are in this season's European Challenge Cup competition.

He is the type of aggressive, ball carrying back row forward Dragons coach Paul Turner has been looking for since he took over at the start of this season.

And he will provide ideal cover in view of the absence of Michael Owen, who will be with Wales throughout the Six Nations Championship and Richard Bryan, who had an operation on his knee today which needs reconstructing after he broke down again last month.

Van Rensberg will not be available for the Dragons' final two Heineken Cup pool matches against Sale and Castres, but could make his first appearance back in Dragons colours against Munster in the Celtic League in Cork on January 28.

He is keen to rejoin the Dragons because his family have remained living in Wales.

"We have been in negotiations with Shawn, we knew he was coming back from France and we have got internaional clearance and registered him with the WRU," said Dragons rugby manager Jim McCreedy.

"He will be available for our next Celtic League game. We took the opportunity to bring him in with Richard Bryan out for the season and Michael Owen unavailable until after the Six Nations.

"He knows the players, he's been involved before and fits into the ball carrying forward role Paul Turner has been looking for."

The Dragons will not lose as many players as feared during the Six Nations for their league games against Munster and Leinster at home and Ulster away.

Wales coach Mike Ruddock, at Rodney Parade yesterday, has explained that only his starting 15 and 'essential cover' players will be unavailable for the Celtic matches in the Six Nations period.

So while the Dragons will probably lose Owen, Hal Luscombe and Ian Gough they may have Gareth Cooper, Ceri Sweeney and Luke Charteris available though Charteris is out for at least another fortnight (damaged shoulder).