Dan Lydiate ensures Wales release from Racing Metro
Flanker Dan Lydiate says he will be available to play for Wales after signing for Racing Metro in France.
He and fellow Wales and Lions centre Jamie Roberts have both signed to play for the Paris-based side in the Top 14.
“I had to make sure I was still available for Wales and I did do that” Dan Lydiate Racing Metro 92 back-row
Wales coach Warren Gatland has told Welsh players to have a clause in their contract to stop them being caught up in any player-release rows.
"I had to make sure I was still available for Wales and I did do that," said Lydiate.
Welsh players based in France and England have become embroiled in player-release rows over the years and missed Wales Test matches and training camps.
Lock Luke Charteris, a former Wales Newport Gwent Dragons team-mate of Lydiate, was the first to publicly state he had secured "full release" for Wales playing and training squads when he joined French club Perpignan in 2012.
Lydiate reveals he talked to Gatland about the issue and is available for Wales, but his focus is on playing well for his new club to ensure he is selected for his country.
Leading Wales players based in France or England
- Mike Phillips (Bayonne)
- George North (Northampton)
- Luke Charteris (Perpignan)
- Dan Lydiate (Racing Metro)
- Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro)
- Paul James (Bath)
- James Hook (Perpignan)
- Lee Byrne (Clermont Auvergne)
- Craig Mitchell (Exeter)
- Rhys Gill (Saracens)
- Aled Brew (Biarritz)
"I spoke to Warren before coming out here," said Lydiate.
"I had to make sure I was still available for Wales and I did do that. Hopefully, it will work well, but I am looking forward to playing with a new set of players and with new coaches.
"They [the WRU] will work closely with the club, but obviously you are at a slight disadvantage because the coaches are not able to watch you every week.
"I just hope if I am playing well enough that they will still pick me. There is a massive onus on myself to make sure I am playing well out here, and if Racing are successful there is a big chance I will still be selected for Wales."
Lydiate, Roberts and Lions team-mate Jonathan Sexton have all been recruited by Racing Metro as they bid to become a major force in the Top 14 and the Heineken Cup.
Lydiate is expected to make his competitive debut for Racing Metro in their Top 14 opener against Brive on Saturday, 18 August.