LUKE Charteris is fit to lead Newport Gwent Dragons out for the last time – but he doesn’t envisage finishing with a Shane Williams swan dive.

The Wales lock, whose move to Perpignan is set to be rubber-stamped in the coming weeks, was a late withdrawal in the region’s losses to both Treviso and the Ospreys.

But the 29-year-old is back in full training after being troubled by a shoulder injury and ready to skipper the Dragons against Leinster on Saturday evening.

The clash with the RaboDirect Pro12 table-toppers, who are also looking to retain their European crown in the Heineken Cup final against Ulster, will bring to an end Charteris’ eight-year spell at Rodney Parade.

The Dragons suffered at the hands of a Williams fairytale finish when he dashed over at the death in a game billed by the marketing men as his Ospreys farewell 12 days ago.

But the giant lock – who has scored in every Dragons season bar this one – is the first to admit a similarly dramatic sign off is unlikely in Newport this weekend.

He said: “I can’t see myself breaking through and going over with a swan dive! But I can honestly say that I am not thinking about it being my last game.

“It’s much more important that we finish on a bit of a high and the confidence that can be gained from that would be vital for the boys in pre-season.

“If they can see they can beat a team of Leinster’s quality then it could really help push them on over the close season.

“I have some fond memories here and it has been the players and the people involved at the club that has kept me here.

“That sometimes gets lost in professional sport. We all want to win and it’s a great regret that we haven’t been more successful, but what I will miss is the day-to-day interaction with the boys.

“I have made a lot of friends through the years and that’s what I’ll look back on with fondness next season, but for now I just want to get that win on Saturday.”

Fellow leavers Martyn Thomas, Aled Brew and Jason Tovey join Charteris in a 28-man squad.

However, the lock cannot afford to be misty-eyed on Saturday night if he wants to impress watching Wales caretaker coach Rob Howley.

He is vying for a place in the Test side in Australia along with Alun Wyn Jones, Ian Evans and Bradley Davies.

Charteris isn’t the only Dragon looking to press his international claims with Howley expected to monitor the progress of uncapped pair Adam Hughes and Lewis Evans. “It’s going to be a bigger squad going on tour and a lot of boys can get their first taste of international rugby,” said Charteris.

“You only have to look at what it did for the region to get the likes of Toby Faletau, Dan Lydiate, Aled Brew and Lloyd Burns breaking through this time last year.

“If we can get another few repeating that – and I think a lot of the boys have put their hands up this season – then it bodes well for next season.”