Powys rugby star Lydiate shelves talk about his future

The blindside flanker from Abbey-cwm-hir returned to Rodney Parade last summer after being the victim of cost-cutting at the Ospreys.

The Wales and Lions international posted that there was “still life in the old bull” while on the hunt for a new club and ended up being the beneficiary of Ross Moriarty turning down a fresh Dragons deal for a new challenge in France.

Lydiate is on an initial one-year deal and has no plans on hanging up the boots, but first he needs to rack up the minutes.

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The 36-year-old’s start back at the Dragons was delayed due to a World Cup call-up then he was in the wars on his first game back against Leinster.

Lydiate dislocated a finger with a charge down and that was no problem – he popped that back while on the run.

He also ploughed on after fracturing rib cartilage but the blow led to him missing the games against the Ospreys, Sharks, Lions, Oyonnax and Pau before a second-half cameo in a 55-21 thrashing by Cardiff Blues.

CARRY: Dan Lydiate on the charge for the Dragons at Cardiff (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

“I’ve come here to play rugby and help develop some of the younger boys. Hopefully I will get the opportunity to play a lot more games, because I am not just here to be a squad member," said Lydiate.

“I want to get a bit of momentum and play rugby.”

Whether it’s extending his Dragons contract or pushing for Six Nations selection after being a fringe figure at France 2023, Lydiate has the same approach.

“I've always been about the here and now. There is no point looking six months down the line,” he said. “It's about what I can do in training to help give the best version of me for the Dragons.”