Wales captain Colin Charvis says his move to Newcastle was prompted by the refusal of the Welsh regions to allow him to play internationally. "The Dragons were the only Welsh region who showed interest in me as an international player," said Charvis.
"The other three said they would like me as a player, but only if I stopped playing for Wales.
"Newcastle have big plans and have also put me in a position where I can still play for Wales if I'm wanted."
Charvis, 31, spent much of last season playing for Tarbes in the French second division after failing to win a regional deal.
 |  I wanted to stay in France, but a great opportunity came up in the Zurich Premiership |
"I was a Swansea player for eight years and never wanted to leave," Charvis told BBC Sport Wales. "But the club folded then joined with Neath and there were difficulties between me and [Ospreys chief executive] Mike Cuddy."
After again failing to agree a deal in Wales, the flanker expected to secure a move to a French first division team for 2004/5.
But the approach came from Newcastle and Charvis, whose home base is still in Swansea, felt the opportunity was too good to miss.
"I wanted to stay in France, but a great opportunity came up in the Zurich Premiership," said Charvis.
"Swansea to Newcastle door-to-door is two-and-a-half hours, Swansea to the south of France is eight hours.
"That was difficult in the Six Nations and this is just a better situation.
"Newcastle have a lot of expectation of players and a lot of ambition and this is a great opportunity for me."
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
