Dan Lydiate admits he is behind the eight ball when it comes to selection for this summer’s Lions tour of Hong Kong and Australia.
The star flanker impressed in his final home game for the Dragons against Munster on Friday prior to his move to the Top 14 next season but he has played very little rugby this term due to an ankle injury.
Lydiate required surgery after suffering the setback against Edinburgh in October and only returned to action last month.
It has left him with limited opportunities to press his claims for a spot on the plane Down Under despite a squad place looking a near certainty when he was named Player of the Championship in the 2012 RBS 6 Nations.
“I can only do what I do but I have not played a lot of rugby this year so I am at a disadvantage straight away, especially not having played international games,” said Lydiate, who hasn’t featured for Wales since last summer.
“All I am focused on is one more game at Edinburgh and I owe it to the Dragons to play well in that game, then what will be will be.
“I want to build on what I did against Munster. It was a fast game just as it was at Ulster the previous week. That can only help get the match fitness back.
“And It was just nice to enjoy the winning feeling after the game, that buzz.
“If it’s meant to be, it will be when it comes to the Lions. I’ve just got to focus on Edinburgh and hopefully I will get on one of the tours (Wales are touring Japan).”
Lions head coach Warren Gatland will name his squad a week tomorrow, with back row looking like one of the most competitive areas of selection.
