A gritty worker at the breakdown and towering tackler, Wales flanker Lydiate quickly developed into an international back-row of note after recovering from a career-threatening neck injury.

Aged 19 he was injured while on duty for the Dragons against Perpignan, ruling him out for the remainder of the season and initially blocking his path to higher honours. A Wales cap at U20 level, he finally graduated to the international arena in 2009, with caps against Argentina and Australia, but it was not until November 2010 that he rendered a genuine claim to the Wales blindside berth on a consistent basis.

During the 2011 Six Nations he entered a rich vein of form and along with openside Sam Warburton contributed heavily to huge defensive displays against Scotland and Italy. He was also a key player in Wales' run to the 2011 Rugby World Cup semi-finals and cemented his reputation as one of the brightest talents in the game during the 2012 Six Nations.

His destructive tackling, huge workload and aggressive rucking were all central to Wales' eventual Grand Slam triumph - collecting the Man of the Match honour against Scotland and France - and his contribution saw him recognised as the Player of the Championship.

Wales suffered a 3-0 series defeat in Australia during the summer but Lydiate rounded off the season by winning the Welsh Rugby Writers' Player of the Year Award.

Lydiate missed the vast majority of the 2012/13 season, including Wales' Six Nations triumph, after breaking his right ankle on duty for the Scarlets in September. However he returned in time to impress Warren Gatland enough to earn himself a place on the plane to Australia with the British & Irish Lions.