DAN Lydiate has stunned medics by winning his fitness race ahead of the big Rugby World Cup quarter-final clash with Ireland on Saturday.
The Welsh flanker sustained an ankle injury in his side’s pool D victory over Samoa a fortnight ago and was forced to sit out victories over World Cup minnows Namibia and Fiji.
However the Abbey-cwm-hir raised Newport Gwent Dragons star joined wing Shane Williams in making coach Warrn Gatland’s starting squad.
The 23-year-old has received intensive treatment since hobbling off with ligament damage against Samoa.
“Dan, James Hook and Shane have all been passed fit to train,” said Prav Mathema, WRU national medical performance manager. “Pending any adverse reaction, we expect them all to be available for selection against Ireland this weekend.”
Lydiate was desperate to kick-start his World Cup with the in form Welsh taking on northern hemisphere rivals Ireland in Wellington on Saturday.
Lydiate said: “As soon as I came off, we started icing the ankle. It was hard work getting up every two hours, but I didn’t want to go home.
“Apparently, I nearly did get sent home, but I just tried to do everything I could so that wouldn’t happen.”
“You don’t want to give up the World Cup. You want to fight tooth and nail off the pitch, as well as on it, to be here for as long as you can.”
Lydiate paid tribute to Wales squad sports psychologist Andy McCann, whose positive outlook helped him through the injury.
“A lot of the boys see Andy,” Lydiate said. “He’s been really good for me about positive thinking and that sort of thing.
“I am not the best watcher, so watching the boys playing against Namibia the other day was hard. But it’s an awesome experience to be here. it has been class so far
Lydiate insisted the Welsh were in a good state of mind ahead of the big match with Ireland.
“We have been under the radar at this World Cup. We are going really well, and the boys are in a good place. There are always things to work on, but they seem fresh and really hungry.
“There is still a real competitive edge in training. We’ve had it since pre-season because no one wants to give up their place and go home.”