PERCY Montgomery is about to return for Newport Gwent Dragons - but where will he play? And will he take the kicks?

His comeback after a brilliant summer on his return to international rugby is set for a week on Friday when the Dragons entertain leading Irish team Leinster.

His very presence will ensure a big crowd, for he is like a magnet to the fans with his magnificent all-round play, his wholehearted effort whenever he puts a jersey on and his sheer dedication and professionalism.

And since his last game for the Dragons in Dublin in mid-May, when he actually broke a bone in his hand, he has made a superb return to international rugby.

New South Africa coach Jake White decided, with the approval of the South African Rugby Union, to reverse previous policy and call on the services of two players who had left the country to play in the Northern Hemisphere.

Montgomery was one and Jaco van der Westhuyzen the other.

Monty missed the first match of the summer against Ireland, but was an instant success when he returned, playing seven games on the trot against Ireland, Wales, the Pacific Islanders and twice each against New Zealand and Australia.

On the way he broke the all-time South Africa points scoring record of 312 held by former outside half great Naas Botha and moved it on to 358 by the end of his final appearance against the Australians.

That clinched the Tri Nations title for the Springboks for the first time in seven years, Monty playing a significant role in that success.

Now he's back, bursting to return to the Dragons fold and sounding full of it when I caught him on his way down the M4 the day he returned.

The big question now is whether Monty plays in his international position of full back or at outside centre though he can, of course, play at outside half as well.

Because the Dragons back division was short of penetration last season coach Mike Ruddock decided to switch him from full back to outside centre where he was an immediate success, playing there in the last 12 games of the season.

Given that the Dragons signed former Wales full back Kevin Morgan during the close season, it was a pretty fair bet that Monty would have remained in the centre, where he is perfectly prepared to play even if he has resumed his international career at full back.

But a complication has arisen with the form of Hal Luscombe at outside centre.

He played the first half of last season there for the Dragons before switching to the wing where he also appeared in all three internationals for Wales against Argentina and South Africa this summer.

But he has reverted to his favourite centre position this season and is emerging as a really potent threat there, which now opens up a big question mark over where Montgomery will return.

If it is to be at full back it will be at the expense of Morgan, if it is at centre Luscombe will have to move back to the wing, with Nathan Brew the one likely to miss out.

And will Monty take over as first choice kicker? He clearly surprised even his native South Africans with his accuracy on his return, but Ceri Sweeney is also a recognised place kicker. Another problem to resolve.

It is also about time something was done about the time the Celtic League matches take place. Friday and Saturday nights are no good at all, with people having other interests and, in any case, the games are televised live so people don't have to move from their armchairs, especially if they have other things on those evenings. It's one reason why crowds are down.

The Celtic League is the flagship competition and as such ought to be played on a Saturday afternoon when there are fewer clashes from television and when they are far more likely to attract major crowds.

It would cause a problem for the Premier Division teams, but they are the ones who ought to move in favour of the bigger picture.