Wales legend Dan Lydiate to quit playing rugby for new role as statement issued
Wales legend Dan Lydiate to quit playing rugby for new role as statement issued
The back-rower racked up 72 caps for Wales and three for the British and Irish Lions
Dan Lydiate of Wales
(Image: Getty Images )
Wales legend Dan Lydiate has announced he will retire from professional rugby at the end of this season and will move into a coaching role.
Dragons star Lydiate is widely considered one of the finest and most destructive flankers to ever play for Wales, making a name for himself with his trademark chop tackle.
The 37-year-old will conclude his playing career with 72 Wales caps to his name, having made his first appearance in 2009 and his last at the 2023 World Cup, as well as three Test appearances for the Lions during their 2013 tour of Australia. As well as two spells at the Dragons, Lydiate also played 90 times for the Ospreys and played a season out in France with Racing Metro.
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The back-rower was a key player in Wales' golden era, part of a vaunted back-row alongside the likes of Sam Warburton, Taulupe Faletau and Justin Tipuric, and has two Six Nations titles in his trophy cabinet. He was named player of the championship during the 2012 Grand Slam campaign.
This season, Lydiate took on the role of Dragons' breakdown coach, balancing his playing career with his coaching aspirations, and will continue in that role next season. 25% OFF DEAL NOW: Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia said: "I've got a lot of respect for Dan, he's got a large amount of grace and humility and he works hard.
"A British and Irish Lion, played for Wales, had a nasty injury and came through to become the person he is today.
"He's been awesome to work with and we're really looking forward to seeing him going back to the Ospreys on the weekend and enjoy the moments at his old stomping ground and leave some fingerprints on his last game in Wales."
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Dragons captain Angus O'Brien said: "I can't speak highly enough of Dan, he's a great professional and more importantly a great person, someone whom I've grown close to over the last two years.
"He's great in the environment, he's got a wealth of experience and has really brought it forward for the younger boys, so it'll be amazing if he's around as a coach."
The flanker will play his final game for the Dragons against his former club, the Ospreys, this Saturday, before moving into a coaching position.
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