CARDIFF (AFP) - Llanelli Scarlets have signed the Australia and Waratahs back row forward David Lyons on a four-year contract, the Welsh outfit announced on Friday.

Scarlets chief executive Stuart Gallacher said Lyons, who has won 43 Wallabies caps, was looking for a new challenge in European rugby.

"I met with David and his representatives in Sydney last week in what was an extremely productive meeting," Gallacher said. "David outlined his reasons on why he wanted to play in Europe. And with a change of lifestyle and new surroundings, we are confident he will flourish with the Scarlets."

Lyons, 27, broke his ankle playing for Australia against Canada in the World Cup last autumn but is now back to full fitness.

His arrival in Llanelli means the Scarlets' Wales back-row forward Alix Popham has been freed to join England World Cup winners Ben Cohen and Steve Thompson at French club Brive.

Llanelli have secured a six-figure compensation fee from Brive for an early termination of 33 times-capped Popham's Llanelli contract.

Popham said: "I've had a great three years at Stradey Park and really enjoyed my playing career with the Scarlets.

"But this is a great opportunity for me and my family to experience a new culture and lifestyle."

As a result of the pending move to Brive, Popham has made himself unavailable for Wales's two-Test tour of South Africa next month.

Wales coach Warren Gatland is not planning to call up a replacement for next week's week-long training camp to begin preparations for the matches against the world champions.