Lydiate latest to join Wales exodus

Dan Lydiate will leave Newport for ‘an undisclosed team’ (Getty Images)

Dan Lydiate, the Wales flanker, is to leave Newport Gwent Dragons at the end of this season.

The Dragons confirmed that Lydiate, last season's Six Nations player of the tournament, will take up a contract "with an undisclosed European team".

The chances are that Lydiate, who is currently sidelined with an ankle injury, will follow the current trend and head to France.

The Dragons rugby director, Robert Beale, admitted the Welsh region could not compete financially with what 24-year-old Lydiate had been offered elsewhere.

"We are obviously very disappointed that Danny has decided to leave the Dragons," Beale said.