A clear path has been drawn for Newport Gwent Dragons to reach the final of the Celtic Cup competition next month.

For if they beat Llanelli Scarlets in the quarter-finals at Rodney Parade a week on Friday they will be at home again the following weekend.

It will be tough, for the winners of match four (the Dragons or Scarlets) will be at home to the winners of pool one (Neath Swansea Ospreys or Ulster).

That would mean a likely game against runaway Celtic League champions the Ospreys, but the Dragons couldn't ask for more that home advantage twice.

The final is on Saturday, May 14 at a neutral stadium in the home country of one of the finalists, the likely venue being Lansdowne Road.

There is every chance scrum half Gareth Cooper will be available for the Dragons after being out for almost three months with a damaged ankle.

He had hoped to return for last Saturday's game against Connacht, but failed to make it and though he won't want to jeopardise his chances of going on the British Lions tour to New Zealand this summer, badly needs match practice.

The Dragons are also waiting for fitness reports on Nathan Brew and Jamie Ringer. Brew is seeing another specialist this week after also suffering ankle problems while Ringer damaged a hip when he collided heavily with an upright near the end of the Connacht game.

Meanwhile, plans for the four Welsh regions to be involved in the Powergen Cup next season are progressing, all of them standing to make £200,000 from TV coverage and sponsorship.

All four regions want to go ahead, but Ireland are furious because it would mean shifting Celtic League games to international weekends and they feel it would dilute the Celtic competition, leading to weakened teams being fielded again and adversely affecting the chances of gaining sponsorship.

They had also finally come into line by agreeing to make Heineken Cup qualification dependant on Celtic League finishing places which they will reconsider if the Anglo-Welsh plan goes ahead.