By Lestyn
April 26 2004

Celtic Warriors and Wales scrum half Gareth Cooper is prepared to commit his future to the region and remain in blue, black, white and red for the foreseeable future. After a Six Nations that saw him push himself into the lime light as far as Lions selection is concerned, Cooper would have been on many of the shopping lists of some of the top sides in Europe when his current deal expires next summer.

However the Pencoed born scrum half is ready to follow the example shown by Shane Williams and remain in Wales.

"I'm really happy here at the Warriors and I think if the team manages to keep a hold of a lot of the boys then it will really bode well for the future," said 24-year-old Cooper.

"It will be nice to have my future sorted out soon so that I can get on and concentrate totally on the rugby."

Despite being first choice Wales number nine, Cooper has faced stiff competition from powerful Tongan Silo Martens, for his berth at regional level.

As yet Coops’ has only made nine appearances since signing from Bath last summer, due to a combination of international duty and injuries.