IRELAND ‘LICKING THEIR LIPS’ OVER RECALLED LYDIATE
Wales Ireland Tomorrow, KO 3pm
NEIL SQUIRES VETERAN Dan Lydiate walked back into the Wales side after an absence of more than two years and straight into an Irish assault yesterday.
The 33-year-old was recalled to what will be the most-capped Wales side in history as under-pressure coach Wayne Pivac turned to experience for tomorrow’s Cardiff clash with Ireland.
But his selection of
Lydiate was immediately called out by former Ireland international Stephen Ferris (inset) who claimed the flanker’s “best years are behind him” and added that the Irish back row should be licking their lips.
“Everyone is allowed their opinion but if I was playing bad rugby, I wouldn’t have been selected,” said Lydiate.
“I’ve been given an opportunity and I’ve got to do my speaking on the field. I’m going to go out there and just do what I do.
“When I started I always wanted to play against the best, to see where I was at and that hasn’t changed.
“I don’t think you ever give up hope but you have to be realistic as well. To get another chance here is a massive bonus.”
Pivac explained his decision to bring back the Ospreys tackling machine.
“He’s a form player in club rugby, he’s come into the camp and trained very well. He deserves a start in our opinion,” Pivac said.
“He’ll bring a lot of experience and he’s a hardnosed player. He’s what we need in round one.
“If you look at what we did post-lockdown it wasn’t good and we weren’t happy with where we were at. I think we’re in a different space now. Judge this team after Sunday with the comments that have been made.”
Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones has shaken off the knee injury that has kept him out of action since Wales’s last game on December 5 and hooker Ken Owens is back too. But Jon Davies is out for a fortnight with an ankle injury so George North and Johnny Williams team up in midfield.
They will have a tough assignment with Garry Ringrose returning to link up with Robbie Henshaw for the first time since the World Cup for Ireland.
“It’s a partnership that you’d hope would grab hold of a competition like this and show everyone what they’re about,” said Ireland coach Andy Farrell.