NEWPORT outside half Jason Strange has joined Zurich Premiership newcomers Rotherham, and teammate Jonathan Pritchard is set to follow suit.

Strange has signed a two-year deal with the Yorkshire club who won promotion from the First Division.

Pritchard is likely to sign a similar deal when he finishes his stint with Wales in the final IRB world series event in London at the weekend.

Both are disappointed to be leaving Gwent after neither was offered a contract with the new region, but Pritchard in particular will use the move as a means to get back into the Wales reckoning.

"When I found out I wasn't in the Gwent squad it was upsetting. I love the Newport club and the supporters and I'm going to miss everyone after a very good four seasons," said Pritchard.

"But Newport is coming to an end as we've known it and maybe this move will be a good challenge for me.

"I want to use this as a stepping stone to prove myself and to get back in the Welsh set-up. It's just that I'm having to go the long way round.

"It's going to be a good challenge and it's sure to improve my game. There isn't an easy one in the Zurich Premiership and I'm looking forward to it."

Pritchard will resume a centre partnership with former Gloucester player Joe Ewens after playing right through the England Schools set-up with him.

Strange, who also had a chance to join Leeds, is looking forward to playing in a properly structured season after all the problems in Welsh rugby. And he realises it is now or never to play in England.

"I think it's going to get worse in Wales," he predicted gloomily.

"I don't believe supporters want the new set-up, especially in Gwent.

"It doesn't even look like a Gwent regional team, and this is supposed to move Welsh rugby on to the next level.

"I have played for nearly nine years in Gwent, so to bring in so many outsiders is disappointing."