Popham signs for Leeds

Popham has fallen behind the likes of Andy Powell

Alix Popham has agreed a deal to leave Newport and join English Zurich Premiership side Leeds Tykes.

The former Wales Under-21 skipper has become frustrated with his lack of first-team opportunities at Rodney Parade.

Two years ago Springbok great Gary Teichman stood in the way, then Andy Powell emerged to leapfrog Popham in the backrow pecking order.

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Twenty-two yeard old Popham would have expected more opportunities, with Peter Buxton having left for Gloucester and Joe Powell joining Swansea.

But the signing of former England player Steve Ojomoh, who went straight into the side and has stayed there in a team that has yet to win a match this season, may have been the final straw.

With the other departures from the backrow, Newport will be left with little cover but have no option but to let Popham go.

Newport weren't expecting him to go ahead with the move and now face a scramble to reinforce their backrow before Friday's European registration deadline.

The player has a clause in his contract that says he can leave with three months' notice if Newport sign an international back-row forward - which happened with Ojomoh.

Popham was at Headingley on permit last season for six weeks, until injuries at Newport saw him recalled early.

He impressed during his time there under coach Phil Davies, a former Wales captain, even winning a man-of-the-match award.

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Popham will hope to follow in the footsteps of ex-Neath centre Tristan Davies, who has resurrected his career at Leeds and is now earning rave reviews.

Former Bath coach Jonathan Callard, once with Newport as a full-back, joined their coaching team during the summer and there is every sign that the Tykes are now a force to be reckoned with.

Leeds only just escaped relegation last season, but they have started this year in formidable fashion, shocking champions Leicester in their first game and have now won all three of their games.

It is another blow to Newport following their terrible start to the season and the news that former Springbok Percy Montgomery will not now arrive before the start of the Heineken Cup campaign.