While North, who is joining former Ospreys and Wales teammate Tom Francis at Provence Rugby this summer, is hoping his new team will be in the Top 14 by the end of the season – they are currently in second place, one point behind RC Valves – Lane will still be seeking some familiar faces when he starts his new career.
Ex-Dragons pair Sam Davies and Ross Moriarty are both playing in the division with Grenoble and Brive respectively.
The 26-year-old Lane is another high-class product of the Cardiff pathway system having learned his rugby at Whitchurch HS and Cowbridge CS. He won honours at Wales 20 level and marked his Guinness PRO14 debut with a try against Connacht in the 2017-18 season.
He scored six times during the campaign and played in the EPCR Challenge Cup final win over Gloucester in Bilbao. A year later he was called out to Japan to play against New Zealand in the Bronze Final at the 2019 World Cup.
He scored on his senior Wales debut against Ireland and currently has five caps and two tries. He has made 92 appearances for his home region, scoring 43 tries.
“I’m forever grateful for the opportunity to represent my boyhood club that I grew up supporting. It truly was a dream come true progressing from Whitchurch to Cardiff RFC to the first team squad,” said Lane.
“The club also gave me the opportunity to represent my country which was something I could only dream of as a child.
“I have made friends both on and off the pitch that will last a lifetime and Cardiff will always be home. It’s where mine and my partner’s family are, and I will always class Cardiff as my club.
“Moving to France is a chance for me and Lucy to experience a different culture and league, which is a new and exciting challenge for me both on and off the field.”
