Lydiate ready for big Saints response after Mallinder exit
DAN Lydiate has told Ospreys fans he is slowly getting back to his choptackling best.
The blindside flanker suffered a serious knee injury last season, but forced his way back into Warren Gatland’s Wales squad last month.
Now Lydiate hopes to continue his recent fine form as the Ospreys look to make it back-to-back wins against Northampton this afternoon.
“I haven’t had a lot of game time since coming back from injury, but I was starting to get back to my best before the Autumn internationals,” Lydiate told The Rugby Paper.
“There is still lots to improve on and it does take me a run of games to pick up my form. I still have a bit more in my game to bring out, but I’m just enjoying being back.
“I don’t want to finish playing thinking I should have worked on this or that. The opportunity is there now to work on my game and try to be the best player I can be.”
Lydiate, 29, was outstanding as the Ospreys got their season back on track with a shock 43-32 victory away to Saints. Steve Tandy’s men know another victory is needed if they are to keep their Champions Cup hopes alive.
Saints are in disarray with long-serving head coach Jim Mallinder sacked following last Saturday’s defeat at Franklin’s Gardens.
“I dare say there is going to be a big backlash from Saints,” said Lydiate.
“It will probably be more of the same in terms of how physical the first game was. It was a massive match for us and hopefully, it will be the turning point in our season.”
The Ospreys welcome back Wales international openside Justin Tipuric while half-back pairing Rhys Webb and Saintsbound Dan Biggar are included on the bench.
Biggar confirmed he will still be joining Saints despite Mallinder’s sacking, according to chief executive Mark Darbon.
Mallinder was sacked on Tuesday after 10 years in charge but Darbon said: “I spoke to Dan on Tuesday and he is incredibly committed and itching to get here and get on with it.
“Nothing has changed over the last couple of days.”
Darbon also says he expects Jim’s son, Harry Mallinder, to stay at the club after he recently signed a new contract with the Saints until 2020.
Interim Northampton boss Alan Dickens will be without England captain Dylan Hartley for his first game in charge. He misses the trip to Swansea through illness.
Mikey Haywood comes in at hooker, Michael Paterson starts at lock, while Jamie Gibson and Tom Wood pack down at flanker.
Tom Stephenson comes in for Luther Burrell at centre in the only back-line change, with fly-half Piers Francis passed fit after his early departure to a head knock in their first meeting.
Ben Foden starts on the right wing and captains the side in Hartley’s absence.