French leave for Wales' Bennett

Wales hooker Huw Bennett said Monday he is to leave Ospreys and play for French top flight side Lyon next season.

Bennett said on his Twitter account: "I want to thank the Ospreys & our awesome supporters for a fantastic 9 years! Been there from its inception & will always hold a special place in my heart.

"Looking forward to my new challenge of playing in France with Lyon. Until then, I am fully committed to ending the season on a high & with some silverware for ospreylia!"

Bennett, 28, who has won 50 caps and who was first-choice Wales hooker at the World Cup, missed Saturday's Triple Crown-clinching victory over England at Twickenham with a calf muscle injury.

He is the latest Welsh star to cross the Channel for a French adventure, following Mike Phillips, James Hook and Lee Byrne, who left in recent months for Bayonne, Perpignan and Clermont Auvergne.

Prop Gethin Jenkins is also believed to be in the process of finalising a move to Toulon and Newport Gwent Dragons wing Aled Brew is heading to Biarritz.

Wales coach Warren Gatland said last week that the exodus proved the financial muscle of French club outfits.

"It is difficult to compete with the money the players are being offered overseas given the financial pressures our regions are under at the moment.

"It is difficult for the regions and difficult for the players when they are being offered significantly more money overseas."

AFP