DAN Lydiate has revealed his pride after making an emotional return to the Welsh national squad last week.

The 30 year old from Abbey-cwm-hir has endured a miserable few years through injury, missing much of the 2017 season with knee and bicep injuries.

With just 36 matches in four seasons under his belt the former British Lion had risked becoming one of the forgotten men of Welsh rugby.

However the Ospreys flanker completed his comeback to help Wales to a 21-10 win over Scotland in Cardiff last weekend.

Lydiate said: “You don’t forget how hard international rugby is and it did not disappoint.”

Wales coach Warren Gatland had given a host of players a cjance in the back row with Josh Navidi, Ellis Jenkins, James Davies and Ross Moriarty each enjoying a turn in Lydiate’s absence.

“It is the nature of the beast: when somebody gets injured somebody else is given an opportunity,” said Lydiate. “One day you are probably not getting picked because you are not playing well enough, you are injured or you are too old so for as long as you can you always want to put on the jersey.”

Lydiate insisted he felt fortunate rather than cursed despite his four years of injuries.

“Nobody wants to be injured but you are going to pick up bumps and bruises, especially in the back row,” said Lydiate.

“I don’t want to talk about luck because I won my 63rd cap against Scotland and I am privileged to get that many.

“We are privileged to do the job we do and it’s gutting when we get injured because you are missing out on getting another cap.

“It just drives you when you are in rehabilitation because the goal is to get back to the highest level you can play until you are not good enough, too old or your time is up.”

Lydiate hopes to have done enough to retain his place in the Wales line-up with Australia the visitors to the Principality Stadium on Saturday.

Wales will be looking to end a woeful record against the Wallabies having failed to register a win in a decade.

However Wales will go into the game with confidence having celebrated their first Autumn Series opening weekend win in 16 years against Scotland.

Lydiate added: “We will probably have to play a lot better against Australia next week.

“Historically we have struggled against them and it would be a nice to get a win.

“They have some X-factor players you have to give special attention to because if you don’t they will cut you to bits.”