'It is unfortunate': Welsh legend's career ends in Cape Town

INJURY UPDATE: The Dragons will be without three senior players when they face the Bulls in the final round of the United Rugby Championship in Pretoria on Saturday.

One of them is a Welsh legend in the form of Dan Lydiate.

On Wednesday, Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia confirmed that the 37-year-old has played his final game of professional rugby after being forced off early in the defeat to the Stormers last weekend.

Meanwhile, Jared Rosser (pec) and Rhodri Jones (calf) have also been denied a chance to play in Pretoria as the Dragons have flown out other young players for the final encounter.

🗣️“It is unfortunate for three senior players, particularly Dan who has been a real servant to the club and Wales. The Stormers was sadly his last game…”

Lydiate to miss Bulls date as Rosser & Jones ruled out.

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— Dragons RFC 🐉 (@dragonsrfc) May 14, 2025

“We’ve lost a few players through injury against the Stormers,” said Tiatia.

“Dan picked up a nasty concussion, so he has gone home.

“Jared tore his pec trying to make a tackle, which is unfortunate, and Rhodri we lost in the warm-up when he tore his calf.

“It is unfortunate for three senior players, particularly Dan who has been a real servant to the club and Wales.

“It was sadly his last game before he moves into coaching next season.

“We have flown over a few younger lads over the last few days, the likes of Owen Conquer who will get a great experience over here as a young senior Academy player.

“He will be rubbing shoulders with some players who have been in this programme for a long time.”

On Lydiate’s impact this season, Tiatia added: “He has been awesome for us. He is a player coach and we have looked to get that balance this season. But in the first block we picked up a few injuries and the plan changed.

“He played in that first game [with Ospreys] and he was instrumental.

“Dan has been great to work with. He is working hard with his coaching, and he will move into the programme next season.

“He has been so impactful. When he broke his neck as a young man he came back, he was a persistent young person back then and he still has those same traits.”

Source: @dragonsrfc