Wales flanker Dan Lydiate will leave the Newport Gwent Dragons at the end of the season and join an unnamed European club, the Welsh side confirmed yesterday.

The 24-year-old, who missed Wales' recent international defeats with a serious ankle injury, is expected to move to France where clubs are benefiting from extensive financial backing.

Lydiate's international team-mates scrumhalf Mike Phillips, prop Gethin Jenkins, utility back James Hook and former Dragons lock Luke Charteris all play in France.

"We are obviously very disappointed that Danny has decided to leave the Dragons," Dragons director of rugby Rob Beale told the club's website.

"Lydiate was named Six Nations Player-of-the-Tournament as Wales claimed the grand slam earlier this year."