WALES international Dan Lydiate is pushing for a starting place against Scotland, after overcoming his ankle injury.
The flanker, from Abbey-cwm-hir, missed Wales’ thrilling 23-21 victory over Ireland, with former captain Ryan Jones impressing in Lydiate’s place.
Despite earning international acclaim for his World Cup performances, Lydiate revealed that Jones’ performance had left him sweating over his selection.
He said: “Ryan played so well that it does make you nervous for your place. He put in a really big performance and the amount of work that he got through was unbelievable.
“Ryan carried, tackled and hit so many rucks. He is a workaholic and did everything that was asked of him.”
He added: “The strength and depth of the squad is really good at the minute. It’s good for the coaches and makes you want to train harder than ever to try and make sure you get a place.
“Ryan played superbly so if I get selected I want to play better and make the jersey mine.
“No rugby player is different and he would have been thinking the same last Sunday – Ryan wanted to make his chance count and he did.”
However, Wales coach Warren Gatland could be spared a selection headache, after Cardiff Blues lock Bradley Davies was cited for a tip tackle which attracted only a yellow card against Ireland.
Davies’ four game suspension could lead to coach Warren Gatland moving Jones into the second row.
Lydiate insists that if selected he’s ready to go “flat out” after recovering from yet another injury to his right ankle.
The first nearly forced him to return early from the World Cup. He then suffered a fresh blow when back on regional duty against Cavalieri Prato and another problem against the Italian club on January 21.
He said: “It was just sod’s law. No amount of rehab (after the previous injury) or strapping would have prevented it.
“I just got caught under the player that tackled me and I was lucky not to break it looking back at the replay.”
Now Lydiate is focusing on locking horns with the Scottish back row after their impressive showing in the 13-6 loss to England at Murrayfield.
He said: “They were on fire against England and it’s going to be a massive test for whoever gets the start.
“Dave Denton had an awesome game and is a big strong powerful guy and a good carrier, Ross Rennie was making breaks everywhere and Alasdair Strokosch was tackling everything.
“Scotland did everything apart from win against England.”