About the Author

Welsh flanker Dan Lydiate grew up on his family's farm near Llandrindod Wells. He started his rugby career as a teenager with Newport Gwent Dragons Academy, progressing to their senior squad. In 2008 he suffered a serious neck injury in the Dragons' Heineken Cup Group match at Perpignan threatening his playing career. A year later he made his debut for Wales and quickly established himself as a key player.