WALES and Swansea prop Chris Anthony has joined Newport, signing a two-year contract before he left for Japan.

Anthony has won eight caps for Wales and was a regular member of the squad for the Six Nations Championship last season, featuring on the bench throughout.

He has been battling with fellow international Ben Evans at Swansea for the past two years for the tight head berth and towards the end of last season was getting the vote. His signing is Newport's first Wales capture since the return of Ian Gough to Rodney Parade a year ago. And Anthony is intent on adding to his list of caps.

"Newport are a strong side and this is a good opportunity for me, I want to play at the highest level," he said.

"I didn't feel I played enough at Swansea, they didn't want me to go, but the decision was made.

"I know Newport are doing a lot on the development front as well, and I'm looking forward to playing for them."

Delighted Newport director of rugby Allan Lewis said: "There are very few good tight head props in Wales and at 25 the best is still to come from Chris."

His signing means Newport will have three international props in Adrian Garvey, Rod Snow and Anthony, plus Wales tourist Ceri Jones.

"We are very strong in that department, and we'll move them around," said Lewis. Snow plays for Canada against England in Toronto on Saturday, but Anthony and Jones both miss out in the first match of Wales' Japan tour.

Team: R Williams (Cardiff), G Thomas (Bridgend), J Robinson (Cardiff), S Jones (Llanelli) captain, C Morgan (Cardiff), G Henson (Swansea), G Cooper (Bath), D Jones (Neath), A Lewis (Cardiff), B Evans (Swansea), C Quinnell (Cardiff), C Stephens (Bridgend), A Lloyd (Bath), G Lewis (Swansea), G Thomas (Bath). Replacements: T Shanklin (Saracens), A Durston (Bridgend), D Peel (Llanelli), S Nelson (Bristol), C Jones (Newport), A Jones, R Sowden-Taylor (Cardiff).