Wales' newly-appointed assistant coach Dan Lydiate is not with the team in Argentina and will not travel to South Africa for the Nations Championship, it has emerged. It is understood Lydiate and a number of other backroom staff have been left behind in Wales.
Lydiate's role and contract
Lydiate joined the Wales coaching team on a full-time basis in May as a contact skills coach, working alongside new defence coach Peter Murchie. However, Lydiate is only contracted to work on weekdays, and, according to a Welsh Rugby Union source, his role does not involve match days. He was present for Wales' Nations Championship opener against Fiji at the Cardiff City Stadium last weekend, but this will not be the case for away fixtures.
This arrangement will also apply to the new attacking skills coach role, when one is appointed.
Budgetary reasons for staying home
It is not uncommon for certain members of the backroom team to stay at home for trips to the Southern Hemisphere for budgetary reasons. Members of the medical, strength and conditioning, and analysis teams have also not travelled. While Lydiate's absence may surprise some given his importance to the national side, the WRU source confirmed the decision was cost-related.
The 72-cap former Wales back row excelled in the contact area throughout his distinguished playing career, and the hope is he can now instil those same qualities in the current squad. Head coach Steve Tandy praised Lydiate's impact when he was appointed full-time in May: "He has done a really good job around the contact area but also with the mindset of the group. He has a very natural style and a huge amount to offer. I think he and Pete will really complement each other working together with the squad in camp. Beyond that, Dan's approach and influence will be key in helping us develop players week-on-week outside of international windows."
Coaching staff who travelled
Along with Tandy, defence coach Murchie, forwards coach Danny Wilson, attack coach Matt Sherratt, scrum coach Paul James, and interim kicking coach Leigh Halfpenny have all travelled with Wales to Argentina and South Africa.
