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Confirmed: Wales back-rower Dan Lydiate names his new club
Wales forward Dan Lydiate has named his new club, confirming he has joined the Dragons 17 days after playing for the Ospreys for the final time. The 35-year-old ended his nine-year stint at the west Wales region when he featured against Cardiff at Principality Stadium on April 22 in the URC.
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The following day he posted his appreciation for the Ospreys on social media, writing: “My time as an Osprey has come to an end. People and friendships make a place and the reason I do it all for is my crew [family]. Thanks to everyone who has been part of my journey as an Osprey. Still life in the old bull. Great to receive my jersey from Sam Parry.”
Lydiate has since been named in the 54-strong preliminary Wales squad for the upcoming Rugby World Cup, the 68-cap back-rower included as one of 31 forwards by Warren Gatland. That was May 1 and now, eight days later, he has revealed where he will play his club rugby in 2023/24.
A statement read: “Dragons RFC are delighted to officially announce the major signing of Wales and British and Irish Lions back row star Dan Lydiate. Vastly experienced forward Lydiate will return to his first professional club and Rodney Parade this summer.
“Lydiate played 85 times for the Men of Gwent between 2006 and 2013, captaining the club on a number of occasions. The hugely talented and driven 35-year-old, who stands 6ft 4in tall and weighs 18st 1lbs, featured in the 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cups.
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8?5? Dragons ? Appearances
6?9? Wales ??????? Caps
3? British & Irish Lions ? Caps#WeAreGwentRugby pic.twitter.com/e7OSiv1rYr— Dragons RFC (@dragonsrugby) May 9, 2023
“Among his many accolades, the flanker was named Six Nations player of the championship in 2012 and the Welsh rugby writers’ player of the year that same season. Lydiate, who has also had playing spells at Racing 92 and Ospreys, was part of the British and Irish Lions squad that toured Australia in 2013, featuring in all three Tests as the Lions claimed a 2-1 series victory. He also captained the Lions on that tour.”
Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan said: “We’re delighted that Dan is coming home to a club where it all started and to a place that still means a huge amount to him. Dan has enjoyed a fantastic career, playing at the very highest level, and he comes back at Dragons having recently produced some of his finest rugby – a fact underlined by his recent call-up by Wales.
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“Dan remains hugely ambitious and still wants to achieve in rugby and be a huge asset to us. He is undoubtedly a leader, someone who sets the best standards, and his vast experience and approach to the game can only be of huge benefit to our young squad. We are excited that Dan is a Dragon again and from speaking to him I know just how much he is looking forward to pulling that jersey back on and representing the Men of Gwent.”
Lydiate added: “It’s great to be back. I have a lot of fond memories of my time here and I’m determined to now add to that on my return. I have had a lot of good conversations with Dai about what he wants to build here and he is one of the reasons I wanted to come back and sign.
“There is a good crop of young talent here and now I’m back on board I will hopefully add some experience, play my part and help them on their journey too. I’m looking to getting stuck in. There is no better crowd than Rodney Parade when it is packed out and I can’t wait to play for them again and move this club forward.”
Comments on RugbyPass
It couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
25 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
13 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
25 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
13 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
80 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
1 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
13 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
12 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
13 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
13 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
13 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
13 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
44 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
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