Rhys Webb could become the last international to leave Wales with the seasoned Ospreys weighing up a bid from Japan.

The 34-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and is in talks to extend his contract with the Ospreys.

WalesOnline understands that Webb would prefer to stay at Ospreys, but sources close to the player insist the 38-cap Welsh star is very unhappy with the contract he is being offered.

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His proposed new contract will see his salary cut in half, while he was only given one more year at the Ospreys.

Instead, the Japanese club is ready to offer the Bridgend player a significant amount of money and a long-term contract.

Welsh rugby is in dire financial straits, with wages falling significantly next season, while each region will have to work with match budgets of £4.5m.

Whilst players understand the need to cut costs to make the game more sustainable in Wales, the scope of the immediate pay cut, particularly for senior international players, is too much for some.

While preferring to stay in Wales under the current circumstances, Webb has no choice but to explore options abroad, with Japan the most likely destination.

Webb is just one of a long list of players likely to leave Wales at the end of the season.

Wales lockout Will Rowlands has already signed for Racing92, while Jarrod Evans will play rugby for the Harlequins next season.

Ross Moriarty has a contract offer on the table from Bayonne, while Cardiff duo Josh Adams and Liam Williams are targets for Lyon and Kobe Steelers respectively.

Welsh hooker Ryan Elias has been targeted by Racing 92 and Clermont-Auvergne but will now likely stick with the Scarlets.

Though he’s in the final stages of his career, losing Webb would be a blow to the Ospreys given the way he’s controlled proceedings on the field this season.

But the reality is that Welsh teams cannot match the offers on the table from outside the country and will inevitably see more stars leave.

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