One of Welsh rugby's hottest young prospects Max Llewellyn has turned his back on the regional game by signing for an English Premiership club, while Wales prop Dillon Lewis is also in danger of leaving.
The 23-year-old centre is considered a future Wales international by many but has opted to leave Cardiff for a career over the Severn Bridge, and he could soon be joined by Wales tighthead Lewis, who is also a target for a number of clubs in England. What will be of grave concern is that Llewellyn is English qualified having been born in Kingston while his dad, former Wales international Gareth, was playing for Harlequins.
Welsh rugby is in a state of crisis with the Welsh Rugby Union and the four regions not yet rubberstamping a six-year financial framework, despite coming to a verbal agreement on Monday - the day Warren Gatland was unveiled as Wales' head coach for at least the next 10 months. A freeze on offering new contracts for next season means Cardiff were unable to table a deal for Llewellyn, and it has resulted in the big centre turning his back on the game in Wales.
