Danny Wilson insists quitting London Welsh to become assistant coach at Newport Gwent Dragons was too good an opportunity to turn down after the Exiles boss handed in his resignation this week.

Wilson stunned the Old Deer Park heirarchy by packing his bags, just weeks after leading Welsh to the Championship play-off semi-finals.

But the Exiles coach admitted the lure of Heineken Cup rugby next season was too great a temptation to resist.

Wilson said: “I have always held the belief that if you get an opportunity to join a club at a higher level you have to take it.

“Playing regional rugby and being involved in the Heineken Cup is a massive attraction for me.

“Newport have a lot of young, talented Welsh players coming through the ranks and I am really excited about being involved in that process.”

Despite his excitement over the move, Wilson conceded it was far from an easy decision to make.

And he revealed the scenario came about in rapid fashion.

Wilson added: “It all happened very quickly and only came to light over the last week or so.

“They approached me and it is great to be recognised for the work I have done at London Welsh.

“Even so, I have a large emotional attachment to the club and it was really difficult to leave that behind.

“But these jobs do not come along very often and I had to take it.”

Wilson will be replaced by his assistant Phil Greening, and the exiting coach is confident the former England international will continue to move things forward.

He added: “Phil has done an amazing job since he joined and I am sure he will do a great job as head coach.

“We already had our plans in place for next season and I see no reason why the club should deviate from that.

“London Welsh are in a very good position at the moment and are definitely a club on the up.

“We made massive steps this season and the key for Phil will be to take that on even further next year.”