Lydiate out of Six Nations
His Welsh regional side Ospreys revealed he will miss the rest of the season because of a serious knee injury.
The 28-year-old – capped 60 times – can also say farewell to making the British and Irish Lions squad for the daunting tour of world champions New Zealand, on account of the anterior cruciate ligament injury he suffered in his country's Test win over South Africa over a week ago.
"Dan Lydiate has been ruled out for the rest of the season, after suffering anterior cruciate ligament damage in Wales' final year-end fixture against South Africa," read the Ospreys statement.
"Following consultation, it has been confirmed that surgery is required, as a result of which he will not play again until next season."
Lydiate – who missed the tour of New Zealand earlier this year with Wales because of a shoulder injury – has formed one of the most effective back row formations in the game with captain Sam Warburton and Taulupe Faletau.
Wales – whose head coach Warren Gatland is on a sabbatical as he is in charge of the Lions and so Robert Howley is deputising – begin their Six Nations campaign against Italy in Rome on February 5.
Agence France-Presse
