WELSH INTERNATIONAL QUITS WALES FOR FRANCE AND ENDS TEST CAREER

Cardiff Rugby and Wales winger Owen Lane is leaving Welsh rugby.

The 26-year-old speedster has agreed a two-year deal with Valence Romans in the Pro D2 - France's second tier. Lane will link up with his new team for the 2024-2025 season.

Lane is now ineligible to represent Wales because he only has five caps. You must have 25 caps or more to ply your trade outside of Wales and still be allowed to represent the country at Test level. However, if he decides to come back in the future and signs for a Welsh region, he will be eligible again.

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Speaking to Cardiff Rugby on the move, Lane said: "I am forever grateful for the opportunity to represent my boyhood club that I grew up supporting. It truly was a dream come true progressing from Whitchurch to Cardiff RFC to the first team squad.

"The club also gave me the opportunity to represent my country which was something I could only dream of as a child.

"I have made friends both on and off the pitch that will last a lifetime and Cardiff will always be home. It’s where mine and my partner’s family are and I will always class Cardiff as my club.

"Moving to France is a chance for me and Lucy to experience a different culture and league, which is a new and exciting challenge for me both on and off the field."

Lane made 92 appearances for Cardiff, scoring 43 tries in the process. He will join the likes of Sam Davies, Ross Moriarty, Tomas Francis and George North, having signed for a Pro D2 side.

Valence Romans are currently 11th in the Pro D2 table, going towards the end of the season. However, they were only promoted from the league below last year.

Fabian Fortassin, coach of Valence Romans, said: "The recruitment of Owen is part of the desire to bring even more speed and power to our backline. He will also and above all bring his qualities as a finisher because Owen, it is on average one try every two matches with Cardiff and this in URC, Champions Cup, Challenge Cup or with Wales with whom he played the World Cup 2019."

2024-05-01T09:15:24Z dg43tfdfdgfd