Official: Lydiate signs with Ospreys

Editor

International flanker Dan Lydiate has become the first player to join Wales Captain Sam Warburton on a National Dual Contract between the Welsh Rugby Union and the Regions.

He is returning to Wales after being released from his contract by Racing Metro and will play for the Ospreys.

Lydiate will start training with the Region this week and will be available for selection after the weekend.

Under the terms of the Rugby Services Agreement players returning to Wales are expected to return to their Regions of origin but Lydiate has chosen to join the Ospreys principally for family reasons and has personally discussed the move with his former Dragons employers.

Lydiate headed the list of 12 players who have been offered National Dual Contracts and more signings are due to take place from that list shortly as negotiations advance.

The list was drawn up by the Wales Head Coach Warren Gatland who has liaised closely with the Regions regarding all the players he wants to secure on NDC’s.

The recently signed Rugby Services Agreement is the first contract between the WRU and the Regions which contains a commitment to the radical new contracts.

Players holding the new contracts will be managed regarding their playing commitments and welfare each season.

Under the terms of the RSA