NEWPORT Gwent Dragons outside half Ceri Sweeney could be leaving Rodney Parade at the end of the season, the Argus understands.

The Wales international will be out of contract and he is being linked with a move to the Dragons' big rivals the Cardiff Blues.

It is not the first time Sweeney has been linked with the capital city side.

And Sweeney, who is 28 later this month, has also been connected with a transfer to Mike Ruddock's Guinness Premiership strugglers Worcester Warriors.

Wales and British Lions number eight Michael Owen could also be playing his final few games for the Gwent region with his contract also expiring at the end of the season.

He is also being linked with a move to Worcester's Sixways Stadium and a reunion with Ruddock.

The Blaina-born former Dragons coach made Owen his captain during Wales' 2005 Grand Slam season after Gareth Thomas was injured in the victory over France in Paris.

The skilful Owen would be sorely missed by the Dragons faithful.

The 27-year-old has recently recaptured the form that made him one of the finest number eights around and won him a call up on the British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand three years ago. He hinted at a possible departure in an interview with the Argus last month when he was asked about his plans at the end of the season. Owen replied: "We'll have to wait and see what my long-term future holds."

Both Sweeney and Owen are former Pontypridd players.

They joined the Dragons in the summer of 2004 when the financially troubled Pontypridd and Bridgend region, the Celtic Warriors, was disbanded by the Welsh Rugby Union after being in existence for just one season of regional rugby.

Sweeney's performance for the Dragons in their 18-16 Magners League victory over the Glasgow Warriors in Firhill on Friday night was his 81st for the region.

He has scored 553 points for the Dragons, which includes nine tries, 98 conversions, 100 penalties and four drop goals.

Sweeney has won 35 caps for Wales since making his debut in a defeat to England at Cardiff during the 2003 Six Nations and scored 88 points for his country, including four tries, 25 conversions, including 11 one game against the USA in 2005, five penalties, and one drop goal.

Owen has made 89 appearances for the Dragons, scoring eight tries.

He has one British and Irish Lions Test cap, won in the 25-25 draw with Argentina at the Millennium Stadium in May 2005 and 41 caps with Wales, scoring two tries, since he making his first appearance on a tour to South Africa six years ago.