Filo Tiatia has confirmed Dan Lydiate has played his final game of professional rugby after being ruled out of the season finale with Vodacom Bulls.
The Men of Gwent jet from Cape Town to Pretoria tomorrow (Thursday) for the final game in the BKT United Rugby Championship this term, but will do so without Lydiate plus team-mates Jared Rosser and Rhodri Jones who have all returned home after injuries.
Former Wales and British & Irish Lions great Lydiate, who announced in April his decision to retire at the end of the season, will be denied a final appearance after being forced off early in the defeat to DHL Stormers last weekend.
Rosser (pec) and Rhodri Jones (calf) have also been denied a chance to play in Pretoria as Dragons have flown out other young players for the final encounter.
“We’ve lost a few players through injury against the Stormers,” said Tiatia.
“Dan picked up a nasty concussion, so he has gone home. Jared tore his pec trying to make a tackle, which is unfortunate, and Rhodri we lost in the warm-up when he tore his calf.
“It is unfortunate for three senior players, particularly Dan who has been a real servant to the club and Wales. It was sadly his last game before he moves into coaching next season.
“We have flown over a few younger lads over the last few days, the likes of Owen Conquer who will get a great experience over here as a young senior Academy player.
“He will be rubbing shoulders with some players who have been in this programme for a long time.”
On Lydiate’s impact this season, Tiatia added: “He has been awesome for us. He is a player coach and we have looked to get that balance this season. But in the first block we picked up a few injuries and the plan changed.
“He played in that first game (with Ospreys) and he was instrumental.
“Dan has been great to work with. He is working hard with his coaching, and he will move into the programme next season.
“He has been so impactful. When he broke his neck as a young man he came back, he was a persistent young person back then and he still has those same traits.”
Looking ahead to the Bulls game this weekend, the Head Coach added: “It’s one final push. It’s the last game of the season and the environment we are going to in Pretoria is a challenging place.
“They are second in the URC, and they are playing a really dominate style of rugby.
“That is their DNA so we are under no illusion as to the challenge, but we want to finish strongly with the young players who are here.”
It is unfortunate for three senior players, particularly Dan who has been a real servant to the club and Wales. It was sadly his last game before he moves into coaching next season...
