Wales Rugby
Dan Lydiate plays down Six Nations hopes
ESPN Staff
January 20, 2013
Wales' Dan Lydiate shifts the ball, Wales v Scotland, Six Nations, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales, February 12, 2012
Dan Lydiate was voted the best player in last year's Six Nations © PA Photos
Enlarge
Related Links
Players/Officials: Dan Lydiate
Tournaments/Tours: Six Nations
Teams: Wales

Wales flanker Dan Lydiate has played down his chances of featuring in his side's defence of the Six Nations crown.

Lydiate, voted the best player in last season's championship, is currently battling back from a broken right ankle he suffered on RaboDirect PRO12 duty for the Dragons in September. Previous reports have suggested he could be back in action for the second half of the Six Nations but the blindside insists that is far from guaranteed.

"It all depends on how it goes over the next few weeks but I have not got a specific date," he told the Western Mail. "I had the screws taken out before Christmas and that helped a lot, it's coming on quite well. I desperately want to play but you don't want to take the field if you aren't right.

"It all depends on me. I'm not being forced to come back on a certain date. I have got to be careful because I'm not running properly yet. They have got me doing fast feet exercises and running up the stairs, I have not actually sprinted yet but it's starting to feel pretty good."

The 25-year-old missed Wales' disastrous end of year campaign and was not included in caretaker coach Rob Howley's Six Nations squad and his frustration has fuelled his rehabilitation.

"It's always hard when you are not involved," said Lydiate, who is confident his side can end a run of seven straight defeats. "We have got a title to defend and there's major pressure on us, but in a good way. In the past, when the pressure has been on the boys, they have risen to the challenge."

Wales kick off their Six Nations campaign against Ireland at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on February 2.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices