Lydiate ready for Dragons Challenge

The international blind side will help the Dragons welcome the Blues to Rodney Parade for their second home game for the PRO 12. He says that even though it was an unfortunate loss last week away from home, the Dragons are ready to take on the Blues.

"It was a disappointing result by the boys from the Leinster game although it was good to see the boys scoring tries against the Leinster side. We are looking for a lot better effort in defence when we play the Blues at home, it's always going to be a tough game but it's also an exciting game because it's a derby match. I am really looking forward to it"

"It's a massive challenge for us to be playing against the Blues, we will be playing against my teammates who play for Wales, which should be an exciting game and with it being a derby match they are usually quite eventful. So hopefully a lot of our fans will turn up and support us for what could be a really good game of rugby."

Lydiate stressed that he is ready to play the Blues and is looking forward to playing against many internationals he has played whilst being picked for the Welsh side. He also mentioned that the team has benefitted from watching the Leinster match and have prepared themselves for the battle between the two teams.

"Training has been going really well this week so I am positive that we will do well, and we have improved after last week's performance," he said.

"A lot of internationals will be playing for the Blues in this game so it will be a massive challenge for us as a team, but it's one of those things where you want to play against a good team in order to better your team. We are here at home and I am sure the Blues will be as up for the game as we are."

"There's no one in particular that I am looking forward to playing against just looking forward to getting back on the pitch, this should be a really good test."

Dragons team for Leinster
Dan Evans, Will Harries , Pat Leach, Andy Tuilagi, Tom Prydie , Steffan Jones; Jonathan Evans; Phil Price, Steve Jones, Dan Way, Ian Nimmo, Adam Jones, Dan Lydiate, Lewis Evans (c), Toby Faletau

Replacements
Hugh Gustafson, Aaron Coundley, Nathan Buck, Jevon Groves, Tom Brown, Liam Davies, Ashley Smith, Adam Hughes