ANDREW Powell believes his move to France will broaden his rugby horizons and improve his chances of getting into the Welsh team.

The former Newport and Wales A No 8, pictured, this week signed for top French club Beziers after turning down an offer from the Gwent Dragons regional side.

But rather than regarding the move abroad as a setback to his Wales hopes, the 22-year-old from Brecon believes it can only bring him closer a first Wales international cap.

"I think French rugby will suit me," said Powell, who was first linked with Heineken Cup champions Toulouse before his Beziers move.

"The firm pitches and the emphasis on running will do me good and I can't wait to start the first game."

That match will be in early September with a couple more to follow before Beziers line-up against the likes of Toulouse, Heineken Cup runners-up Perpignan, Biarritz, Narbonne and Montpelier in a powerful French Championship group.

Then it will be the Parker Pen Cup and games against other top European sides.

"I'm here to broaden my experience and play good rugby, and with games against teams like that, I feel certain I will improve," said Powell.

"I'm going to try to impress over here with the aim of getting in the Welsh team.

"I want a cap. I want to play for Wales. That's my goal and I'll play out of my skin to try to win one.

"But I'll definitely come back and play regional rugby one day. I want to come back to Wales and show what I'm capable of."

Powell burst on to the Welsh scene with Newport after the departure of South Africa star Gary Teichmann and was an immediate hit with his strong running and ball-carrying ability, not to mention his tackling.

But after a great season under South African coach Ian McIntosh he fell out of favour.

Asked if he felt he had a raw deal, he said: "Maybe. It's not for me to say really. It's one of those things you have to deal with, perhaps get away from for a bit, and then come back and hopefully impress.

"Every player has a second-year syndrome and it was just one of those things.

"But playing under Ian McIntosh was tremendous. There's only one Mac. I trusted him and he trusted me and we had a good partnership which worked very well.

"He just allowed me to play the way I wanted and allowed the team to play well and I learned so much. If he was there, I would probably still be there."

But now it's Beziers and a one-year contract plus an apartment, a deal Powell says "I'm very happy with." He added: "Beziers is a very good set-up.

"They've spent a lot of money on players and are looking to do a lot better and I'm looking forward to the challenge."