Wales prop Dillon Lewis is set to follow Cardiff team-mate Jarrod Evans in making the move to English giants Harlequins next season.
WalesOnline revealed in December that 27-year-old front-rower Lewis, who is out of contract in the Welsh capital in a few months, was the subject of interest from a number of Gallagher Premiership clubs.
It's now understood Quins have swooped to make him the replacement for tighthead prop Wilco Louw, who will be returning to his native South Africa. Lewis, who is on 49 caps, will be able to continue his Wales career due to the WRU's new 25-cap selection rule.
The move is close to completion and he is set to follow Evans, who we exclusively revealed is joining the club this summer.
Lewis told WalesOnline in January: "With regards to staying in Wales I haven't been spoken to by my club in regards to a contract yet and in regards to going over the bridge I've had interest, but I can't say more than that."
Wages and regional budgets are being pushed down in Wales, prompting a number of stars including Will Rowlands to leave. Many players at Cardiff, in particular, have not been offered new contracts or will have to accept massively reduced wages salaries to stay.
Lewis and Evans have come through the Pontypridd and Cardiff systems together. Unlike Lewis, however, Evans is likely be forgoing his international career as he has eight caps to his name, well below the threshold to play outside Wales and remain eligible for selection. There have been suggestions a regional appearances clause, which would allow players who have played a substantial number of regional games to remain eligible even if they don't have 25 Test caps, could become part of the new rule, but nothing has been decided yet.
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