Dan Lydiate is looking forward to clashing with some familiar faces when Wales take on France in Paris this weekend.
The British & Irish Lions flanker swapped Racing Metro for the Ospreys at the end of last year, following a year and a half in the French Top 14.
He will face off with a few former teammates on Saturday, after Philippe Saint-Andre named three Racing Metro players in his starting line-up.
But Lydiate, who featured in all three Tests during the British & Irish Lions’ victorious tour to Australia in 2013, insists that will not distract him from the task at hand.
“You always want to make a statement, you want to give a good representation of yourself so this game will be no different,” he told Wales Online.
“It may be slightly different this time because I’m playing against boys that I used to play alongside. That’s quite cool as well, but you want to prove yourself in every game.
“Hopefully after the game I’ll meet up with the boys and have a really good catch-up. That’s what rugby is all about. Playing hard on the field and meeting up afterwards.”
And, on a personal level, Lydiate is hoping to build on his display against Scotland, where Wales recorded a 26-23 victory last time out.
“I was pleased with my performance against Scotland, I made my tackles and got my hands on the ball a bit more,” he added.
“That wasn’t just carrying but some passing as well, so there was some variation there.
“But as long as I put myself in positions to make those tackles and try and influence the game the best as I can, which is tackling, then I’m doing my job.”
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