Sport.co.uk followed on from Andrew Bishop by catching up with Wales flanker Dan Lydiate. At just 22, with four caps and a man of the match performance in their draw with Fiji, big things are expected for the Newport Gwent Dragon forward.
We talked about swapping roles with Wales’ latest star winger George North, discussed how he measures up to Elton John, previewed his clash with All Black Richie McCaw and spoke about how he recovered from a career threatening broken neck to represent his beloved nation at the Millennium Stadium.
We can only imagine: It’s a little bit funny this feeling inside...
You played the full 80 minutes against Australia but were unfortunate to miss out with injury against South Africa. What is the atmosphere like for these northern versus southern hemisphere clashes?
They’re always electric. They’re always the big games you want to play in. I think the fans appreciate that so you want to make it a spectacle.
What was it like watching that match against South Africa? What did you make of those crazy three minutes when the match was turned on its head and they ran in two tries?
It was a very exciting game. It was frustrating to be sat on the sidelines watching but it was a good game. I think everyone involved at the stadium and watching on television enjoyed it.
What did you make of George North’s performance? He’s built more like a back-row so do you ever fancy giving it a go out on the wing?
Ha, I’d love to if I had the gas. No, I think he’s got a good few yards of pace on me so I’ll leave it up to him. He’s got the speed.
How do you think he’ll be feeling now? Obviously you made your Wales debut as recently as in last year’s November series against Argentina and also made your first full start against the Wallabies.
I think it will be a good experience for the next time he plays for Wales. He’ll be more relaxed and I’m sure that will show in his performances.
If you are fit in time for the Kiwi game you will possibly be facing up to Richie McCaw. What can you learn from him and how can you get the better of him?
He’s the best no. 7 in the world. You only learn from playing against the best. It’s a match and a contest you look forward to and they’re the games you want to play in. New Zealand are the best team in the world, not just their individuals but one to 15. They’re all class players. We’re really looking forward to it and hopefully we can give them a good go.
Wales threw away a good lead against South Africa but showed glimpses of quality that brought the nation a Grand Slam in the Six Nations a couple seasons ago. Wales open their World Cup campaign against the Boks next September so how are you going to turn it around?
We’re building on our performances each week. We know that on our day we can beat anyone. We just need that first scalp to get the ball rolling. Once we get that we can keep pushing on forward.
What are your aspirations for the World Cup in New Zealand?
There are a lot of games to play until then but obviously I’d like to be involved in the World Cup but for now I’ve just got to look forward to the next game and hopefully play well.
What have you made of how the other British teams are getting on?
England had a really good result on the weekend against Australia. Their play was awesome and it was a really entertaining game. Scotland had a heavy defeat against New Zealand. The All Blacks showed what a class team they are and our match with them is one we really need to look forward to in our last game of the autumn internationals. Ireland had quite a tough game against Samoa but they came out winners. Some of the teams are playing really well.
You have worked with coach Shaun Edwards a few times now. What is he like to work with?
He’s always mind on the job Shaun. That’s why he’s been one of the best in rugby league and he’s brought that experience over to rugby union when we do our defence sessions. You can only learn from guys like Shaun. He knows his stuff. He can only make us better as players from his experience.
Is there a softer side to the steely Englishman?
I’ve only experienced him in training sessions so it’s just mind on the job and I can’t fault that.
At Wales you are working with former rugby league pro Edwards (36 Great Britain caps at scrum half), Welsh legend Rob Howley (59 caps for Wales), skills coach Neil Jenkins (87 caps) and former hooker and forwards coach Robin McBryde (37 caps).
What is it like being surrounded by training staff of such high calibre and experience from their playing days?
You only learn off these sorts of guys. They’ve been there, been at the top of the game and they’ve got the T-shirts so any knowledge they can pass on is worth listening to. You can only get better as a player from being in that environment with those sorts of blokes.
Your club, Newport Gwent Dragons have struggled of late in the Magners League and have holders Toulouse in the Heineken Cup. How do you feel your season is going?
We got off to a pretty poor start and all our players are disappointed about that. With a couple results over the last few weeks we’ve started to turn a corner hopefully. We played Northampton in the LV Cup and got quite heavily beaten but we’ve just got to build on our performances really. It’s the little things getting away from us like our set piece. There’s plenty of endeavour from the boys but we just need to gel together and then I think we’ll be fine.
How special is playing in the Heineken Cup for you?
It’s the next step up from regional level. It’s where you want to play for your club side. Every time you play it makes you better because it gives you the chance to play the big teams of Europe such as your Toulouses. At the beginning of the season those are the fixtures you look out for.
At such a young age you’ve already had to come back from a major setback after breaking your neck in a Heineken Cup match in 2007. How do you come back from something like that? How did you feel when you overcame the odds and made your debut for the international side?
It was nice that all my hard work had paid off and it was worth coming back. It gives you good self-satisfaction that you did it. You just know it’s in the past and look to the future. You soon forget about it. That’s only human nature.
Does it make every moment you spend out there on the pitch that bit more special?
Oh yeah, most definitely. That’s why we play the game – because we love playing it. When you get injured and think it could be taken away from you, you realise how much you love the game. I’m just glad I could come back from it because there have been a couple injuries of late that players haven’t been able to come back from. Thom Evans, the Scotland back, had a worst injury than mine and had to give up his boots [Evans retired last season after a broken neck suffered against Wales in the Six Nations].
I’ve asked the other boys this question...we’ve been speaking to a few of the England boys recently and the subject of initiation traditions came up, including Ugo Monye singing Fresh Prince of Bel-Air...Are there any such tales you can reveal? What does the initiation for the Wales squad involve?
We had to stand up on the bus on the way back from the Millennium Stadium and sing a song to the boys. Mine was Elton John’s Your Song. It went down pretty well. I got a round of applause from the boys and quite a few of them joined in so happy days.
Aah yes! Covered by Ewan McGregor in Moulin Rouge if our memory serves...Anywho...Any other notable performances?
I’ve only just got in the squad so there’s only me and a couple others who I’ve heard sing. Hopefully the more I get involved there’ll be a few more boys getting caps and I can enjoy it as much as the other boys enjoyed my performance.
We’re sure you’re looking forward to turning the tables on the newbies. So, what does the next 12 months hold in store for Welsh Rugby with the Six Nations, clubs in the Heineken Cup and the World Cup in New Zealand all happening in quick succession?
I don’t want to look too far ahead because Sod’s law you won’t make it. It’s always in the back of your mind that you want to go to a World Cup but for the time being you’ve just got to focus on the next game and then hope that you play well, whether it is for your club or your country. That’s all I’m really focusing on. Obviously I want to be involved in all the squads but I’ll be taking each game as it comes.
To read Sport.co.uk's other interviews with promising Welsh youngsters Andrew Bishop and Sam Warburton just follow the links.
Dan Lydiate was speaking on behalf of the Wales Rugby team and their hydration partner, Powerade. For more information and hydration tips visit www.poweradegb.com