Dan Lydiate is determined to put ‘momentum’ into his return to Dragons as he bids for a big 2024.
The blindside returned to Rodney Parade last summer from Ospreys but the 36-year-old’s start back at the Dragons was delayed due to a World Cup call-up.
Lydiate dislocated a finger and suffered a fractured rib cartilage in his comeback game with Leinster – ruling him out of games with Ospreys, Sharks, Lions, Oyonnax and Pau.
But he returned as a half-time replacement against Cardiff on Boxing Day and now has his sights on a run of games – starting with the New Year’s Day derby against the Scarlets at Rodney Parade (kick-off 5.15pm).
“Getting 40 minutes in a tough, quick game certainly blew away a few cobwebs,” said the back rower.
“I’ve come here to play rugby and help develop some of the younger boys. Hopefully I will get the opportunity to play a lot more games, because I am not just here to be a squad member.
“I want to get a bit of momentum and play rugby.
“I've always been about the here and now. There is no point looking six months down the line,” he said.
“It's about what I can do in training to help give the best version of me for the Dragons.”
Lydiate is also keen to see a response in the opening game of 2024 after what he admits has been a tough week following the defeat in the capital.
“It was quite a dark start to the week with honest reviews, which was needed,” said Lydiate.
“In rugby you can't dwell for too long. You have to learn from mistakes pretty quickly and we have to put things right on New Year's Day.
“We don't need someone else to tell us that we underperformed. On our first working day you would feel the atmosphere.
“Nobody was hurting more than the players and coaches in this environment. It's not my first dark meeting like that throughout my career and it's how we bounce back.
“It was doom and gloom on the first day of work but we’ve flicked the switch.”
I’ve come here to play rugby and help develop some of the younger boys. Hopefully I will get the opportunity to play a lot more games, because I am not just here to be a squad member.
