Lydiate has Lions hope

Newport Gwent Dragons boss Darren Edwards believes flanker Dan Lydiate has a fighting chance of making the Lions tour.

Newport Gwent Dragons boss Darren Edwards believes flanker Dan Lydiate has a fighting chance of making the Lions tour.

Lydiate recently returned from breaking and dislocating his ankle in September, with the 2012 Six Nations player of the championship tipped to make an impressive comeback in time to travel to Australia.

“A month is enough time for a player of Dan's quality to prove himself worthy of a Lions spot. He has worked very hard and all he needs is to blow away the cobwebs,” said Edwards.

“I am sure Warren Gatland knows what balance of team he wants and knows that Dan, with his hard hitting and physicality, would have stood out for Wales against England.

“We could only play Dan for 40 minutes on Friday, so we were compromised in some ways, but it was important to get him out on the pitch.

“I thought that he did very well and was hunting tackles like he is known for. I am sure there will be another step up in his performance now that he has got that game under his belt. We will now let Dan go flat out until he drops against the Scarlets.”