NEWPORT'S Welsh Premier Division championship squad is in danger of breaking up after the departure of Craig Richards, Richard Davies and Llyr Lane.

The top trio joined ambitious English First Division side Coventry yesterday and the club are also reportedly interested in Matthew Veater.

Skipper Gareth Gravell could also be on his way, the influential flanker saying he'll decide in the next ten days whether to stay at the club or join the Welsh exodus of players to France.

And with outside half Daniel Griffiths currently in France with Bayonne and contemplating a switch, Newport will have to rebuild.

"We did it last season when many of the players who helped us to the championship were unknown when they joined us," said Newport director Will Godfrey.

"With more constraints financially this season, we knew we would lose players and have to rebuild again but are confident we can do so.

"We already have some exciting new faces in the pipeline to be announced shortly and this leaves opprtunities for other talented youngsters to join the club

"At least eight of Newport's squad are likely to receive development contracts from the Newport Gwent Dragons and that is the sort of opportunity players will get if they come to Rodney Parade."

Richards, from Llanelli, scored thirty tries last season after joining from Whitland.

Davies joined in November when released by the Dragons, scored a hat-trick of tries on debut and played in every game thereafter.

Lane was a virtual ever-present at scrum half, occasionally fitting in at outside half and also assuming place-kicking duties.

Coventry signed former Newport Gwent Dragons No 8 Shawn van Rensburg three weeks ago and have signed Bridgend wing Paul Jones.

But they have ruled out signing former Pontypool second row Mike Powell while former Dragons and Ebbw Vale lock Neil Edwards is unlikely to join them.

All-action flanker Gravell has received an offer to play for French professional Division One contenders Auch next season.

He has also received an offer to play in the English First Division but says it will be France or Newport, much of it depening on events over the next two weekends.

"I don't know what to do to be honest," said Gravell.

"Auch are joint top of the French First Division with Bayonne and if they win promotion to the French Premierhip it will be very tempting to go there.

"I would love to play in the top tier in France and that and the different culture would be a difficult pull to resist.

"I have no interest in playing in England. I would love to stay at Newport really. We had a fantastic season last season and they are a great bunch of boys.

"I'm off to the Benidorm Sevens for a week and I will watch Auch's results over the next two weekends and make my mind up then."