Wales centre Hal Luscombe is leaving Newport Gwent Dragons to join runaway English First Division leaders Harlequins, who are on the brink of returning to the Premiership.

Luscombe refused to sign a new deal with the Dragons after spending seven years at Rodney Parade since arriving from his native South Africa.

He has become increasingly frustrated with the Dragons and has wanted to move on for a while.

He has been linked with all the other Welsh regions, especially Cardiff Blues, but has decided, a bit more controversially, to move to England and join Harlequins, sure to be a major force once again.

He will link up at the The Stoop with Stuart Abbott, the England centre, who was at school with Luscombe in South Africa.

Luscombe said: "I've been at Rodney Parade for the past seven years and have played under six different coaches in that time. I've loved playing for Newport and the Dragons, but I felt I needed a fresh challenge and playing in the Premiership will provide me with that.

"My decision might have been different had Tony Brown still been there, though my decision to join Harlequins (where Brown has a hospitality box) is nothing to do with him at all, we haven't even spoken about it.

"Harlequins have got a good bunch of players. They've done extremely well in the First Division and I'm looking forward to playing in an exciting back division with Stuart Abbott and Andrew Mehrtens (former All Black outside half).

"I'll miss not playing in the Heineken Cup, there is no hiding behind that, but moving to England shouldn't hamper my international career at all if I can produce the goods. It hasn't affected Colin Charvis or Mark Taylor."

Luscombe, who is 24, has won 16 caps and after winning his first ten on the wing was a regular in his favourite outside centre position right through the recent Six Nations Championship.

His departure will be a huge blow to the Dragons and he is the type of player they can ill afford to lose as they continue to struggle near the foot of the Celtic League table.

At his best he ripped defences wide open with his attacking running and he will be a hard act to follow, though Nathan Brew has exciting possibilities if he can remain injury free, and coach Paul Turner will also be able to bring in a replacement or possibly two.

Turner himself felt unable to make comment on Luscombe's decision. "I'm not in any position at this stage of the season to make any comment on players coming or going. We've still got a lot of work to do this season," he said.

Luscombe, who played 44 times for the Dragons, has signed a two-year contract with the Harlequins and will leave Rodney Parade at the end of the season.