The 15-cap Wales-based South African, who began every RBS 6 Nations championship match this year, will leave the Dragons at the end of the current season.

The 25-year-old, who has been at Rodney Parade for seven years, said: I needed a fresh challenge - and playing in the Premiership next season will provide me with that.

Ive played under six different coaches at Rodney Parade and Ive loved playing for Newport and the Dragons.

My decision might have been different had Tony Brown (former Dragons benefactor) still been there. But my decision to join Harlequins [Brown has a hospitality box at The Stoop] is nothing to do with him.

Harlequins have got a good bunch of players. Theyve done extremely well in the First Division, and Im looking forward to playing in an exciting back division with Stuart Abbott and Andrew Mehrtens.

Ill miss not playing in the Heineken Cup, but moving to England shouldnt hamper my international career if I can produce the goods - it hasnt affected Colin Charvis or Mark Taylor.

Luscombe will join England centre Abbott, who signed for Harlequins from Wasps earlier this week - and both know each other from school days in South Africa.

With Harlequins virtually certain to clinch promotion this season, the pair will form a formidable partnership in the Premiership.

Luscombe was brought from South Africa to Wales by former national coach Graham Henry, who wanted to place him on a scholarship before he qualified on residency.