Born in Salford to a Welsh mother, Lydiate was brought up with a farming background in Llandrindod Wells, before joining what was then the Newport Gwent Dragons’ academy.
His professional career could have been ended before it had barely begun when he broke his neck in a European match in Perpignan.
It was not the only time he had to overcome a major injury setback, with a serious knee injury in February 2021 appearing to signal the end of his Wales hopes, only for Lydiate to recover and help his country to a first ever win in South Africa the following year.
Renowned for his defensive chop-tackling abilities, the quietly spoken Lydiate formed part of a formidable back row for much of his international career, mostly at blind-side flanker alongside Taulupe Faletau, Sam Warburton and Justin Tipuric.
He also captained his country against Italy and England in 2016 and Georgia in 2017.
At club level he moved from Dragons to Racing Metro in 2013, before returning from Paris a year later to join the Ospreys, for whom he made 90 appearances.
He returned to the Gwent region 10 years after departing, developing his farming career alongside his rugby, and will run out in a Dragons shirt for the 106th time at the Swansea.com stadium.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for DL, he’s a man of grace and humility and he works hard,” said Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia, a former playing colleague at the Ospreys.
“A British and Irish Lion, played for Wales, had a nasty injury and came through to become the man he is now.
“He’s an awesome proud father, he’s on the farm and he’s been awesome to work with.
“We’re really looking forward to seeing him going back to the Ospreys on the weekend, enjoy the moments at his old stomping ground and leave some fingerprints on his last game. Then we’ve got a plan for his coaching role.”
Lydiate has already been helping with coaching the breakdown area for the Dragons.
“I can’t speak highly enough of Dan, he’s a great professional and more importantly a great person, someone whom I’ve grown close to over the last two years,” said club captain Angus O’Brien.
“He’s great in the environment, he’s got a wealth of experience and has really brought it forward for the younger boys, so it’ll be amazing if he’s around as a coach.”
