Stephen Ferris has questioned Dan Lydiate’s place in the Wales squad for the Six Nations Championship.
Lydiate has not played for Wales in more than two years but has been named by Wayne Pivac at blindside flanker, ahead of Josh Navidi who starts on the bench.
The 33-year old has played exceptionally well for his country in the past, and played in all three of the British and Irish Lions tests with Australia in 2013. But the flanker has not shone on the international stage for quite some time.
๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐: Wales side to face @IrishRugby in our 2021 #GuinnessSixNations opener this Sunday โ๏ธ โ
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โ ๐๐ข๐ฏ ๐๐บ๐ฅ๐ช๐ข๐ต๐ฆ ๐บ๐ฏ ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ค๐ฉ๐ณ๐ข๐ถ ๐ฅ๐ณ๐ฐ๐ด ๐๐บ๐ฎ๐ณ๐ถ ๐ข๐ฎ ๐บ ๐ต๐ณ๐ฐ ๐ค๐บ๐ฏ๐ต๐ข๐ง ๐ฆ๐ณ๐ด ๐ฎ๐ช๐ด ๐๐ข๐ค๐ฉ๐ธ๐ฆ๐ฅ๐ฅ 2018. โ
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๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ #HWFN pic.twitter.com/tdEONKsBQiโ Welsh Rugby Union ๐ (@WelshRugbyUnion) February 5, 2021
Despite a return to form playing for the Ospreys, Ferris explained to RTE‘s Game On before the Welsh team was announced on Friday why he was so surprised by Lydiate’s inclusion.
“I’m not sure about Dan Lydiate, to be honest, I think his best years are behind him and I wouldnโt have any bother saying that to his face.
“Heโs been an exceptional player for Wales and for the Lions over the years.
“Yes he does offer something different, but running around, diving at peopleโs feet will only get you so far,” Ferris said.
‘He’s not a particularly good ball carrier.’
Ireland‘s starting back row on Sunday will consist of Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier and CJ Stander, while Will Connor starts on the bench.
While Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau have more than proven themselves in international rugby in recent times, Ferris expects the Irish back row to get the upper hand in Cardiff.
“Heโs not a particularly good ball carrier, he isnโt particularly good in the lineout, I havenโt seen enough of a work rate out of him when heโs been playing club rugby and he hasnโt worn an international jersey for a while.
“Maybe heโs going to offer something different that Wayne Pivac and his coaching team are looking at, Iโm not so sure but Iโll be very interested to see if he starts.
“If he does start, if I was CJ Stander or Will Connors or whoeverโs going to start in the back row, Iโd be licking my lips to be honest with you,” Ferris commented.
Read More About: dan lydiate, ireland rugby, Six Nations, stephen ferris, wales rugby
