Lydiate to leave Dragons for full-time Wales role

Breaking news from the world of sport: Lydiate to leave Dragons for full-time Wales roleImage source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyImage caption, Dan Lydiate made his Wales debut in 2009ByChris KirwanBBC Sport WalesPublished54 minutes agoDan Lydiate will leave Dragons to become a permanent member of Steve Tandy's Wales coaching team this summer. The former Wales flanker was involved in the national set-up in the autumn and Six Nations and will now take up a full-time role. Lydiate will be responsible for contact skills and work alongside incoming defence coach Pete Murchie.

Head coach Tandy said: "It's great to have Dan join us now on a full-time basis. He has done a really good job around the contact area but also with the mindset of the group. "He has a very natural style and a huge amount to offer.

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I think he and Pete will really complement each other working together with the squad in camp. "Beyond that, Dan's approach and influence will be key in helping us develop players week-on-week outside of international windows. "Wales face Barbarians, Fiji, Argentina and South Africa this summer.

Murchie to join Wales as defence coach in summer Published24 FebruaryWho needs what to make URC play-offs? Published7 hours agoLydiate won 72 caps for Wales and played all three Tests for the British and Irish Lions on the successful tour to Australia in 2013. The chop-tackling blind-side flanker was a player-coach in his second spell with Dragons and remained a member of Filo Tiatia's management team after hanging his boots up last summer.

"I have enjoyed my experience with Dragons first as a player-coach then as a full-time coach," said Lydiate, who also played for Ospreys and Racing Metro. "I've learnt a huge amount and am grateful to have been able to combine my club coaching with an interim role with Wales this season. "It's an incredible honour to have the opportunity to move into a full-time role with Wales.

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"I'm excited not only to continue working with Steve and the group, but also take on a broader remit to help with the development of players outside of camp as well. "Lydiate joins Danny Wilson, Matt Sherratt and former Glasgow coach Murchie as full-time members of Tandy's staff. He will link up with Wales after finishing the season with Dragons, where he has worked closely with experienced defence coach Dale MacLeod.

"Dan works tirelessly to improve every player he works with, no matter if they are a senior professional or a young academy prospect, as he looks to pass on his wealth of knowledge and expertise," said Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia. "He now has a fantastic opportunity to link-up with Wales on a full-time basis and leaves at the end of this season with our full support. Wales are lucky to have him.

"Benetton-bound Dragons coach Rhys Patchell helped Wales with kicking in the autumn and Six Nations while the Ospreys pair of Duncan Jones and Paul James took the lead with the scrum.

The story has climbed to the top of the sports agenda, with fans and analysts following closely.