Dan Lydiate joins Ospreys and becomes second player to sign Wales dual contract
Tuesday 9 December 2014 18:52, UK
Dan Lydiate has become the second player to sign a Wales National Dual Contract and will join Ospreys immediately.
The flanker negotiated a release from his Racing Metro deal in October after accepting an offer to return home as part of the new Rugby Services Agreement between the Welsh Rugby Union and the Regions.
Under the terms of the agreement Lydiate was expected to return to his home Region - Newport-Gwent Dragons - but the Dragons this week accepted his decision to choose the Ospreys for family reasons after a year in France.
The 26-year-old joins Sam Warburton in signing a dual contract and will train with his new team-mates this week. He is expected to be available for selection from next week onwards.
He said: "I am delighted to have secured a National Dual Contract and I am looking forward to doing my best for The Ospreys while I aim to win selection for Wales.
"Having a National Dual Contract gives me the certainty I need for my future and I will now be able to concentrate 100 per cent on my rugby.
"I enjoyed my time with Racing Metro but this is the right move for me as I want to achieve my full potential as a player based here in Wales."
WRU group chief executive Roger Lewis, said: "This is a landmark day for Welsh rugby and I am grateful to all involved for the level of cooperation this signifies. National Dual Contracts will help us keep international class talent here in Wales available for Regional rugby and for international selection."
Wales head coach Warren Gatland has drawn up a list of 12 players he wants on the new contracts, and negotiations are ongoing.
He said: "This is an important step forward for Welsh rugby and will reap rewards in playing standards over the long term."
And Ospreys chief executive Andrew Hore said: "As far as we understand, Dan chose the Ospreys based on the investment we have put into creating a world class environment.
"We base our recruitment on selecting people with the right character. Dan matches those requirements and we look forward to working with him."
Will Dan Lydiate make his Ospreys debut against Ulster on December 20? You can watch the game live on Sky Sports 2 at 5pm. Ospreys' European Champions Cup game at Racing Metro is live on Sky Sports 2 (red button) at 5.15pm on Saturday December 13.
