Dan Lydiate Set for 100th Dragons Match in European Challenge Cup

Dan Lydiate, who was part of Warren Gatland’s British and Irish Lions squad that defeated Australia in 2013, is preparing for a European Challenge Cup fixture. The match between Newcastle Falcons and Dragons will take place at Kingston Park, Newcastle, on Sunday, 15 December, with a kick-off time of 15:15 GMT. Coverage will be available via live audio and text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app. The seasoned Wales and British and Irish Lions flanker, Dan Lydiate, is scheduled to achieve his 100th appearance for the Dragons during their European Challenge Cup encounter against Newcastle Falcons this Sunday. The 36-year-old is among nine alterations to the starting lineup implemented by interim coach Filo Tiatia, as the Dragons aim for a victory following their initial 18-14 home loss to Montpellier last weekend. Rodrigo Martinez and hooker Brodie Coghlan are reinstated in the front row, while Steve Cummins and George Nott will form the lock partnership. Full-back Huw Anderson and scrum-half Che Hope are set to make their inaugural starts, with centre Joe Westwood returning and wing Oli Andrew poised for his first appearance of the 2024-25 season. From the bench, Evan Minto, Nick Thomas, and newly recruited prop Paula Latu are expected to make their first appearances for the visiting side. The Falcons have implemented only two changes to the squad that suffered a defeat in Pau last Sunday during their opening match of the competition. Scrum-half Sam Stuart and centre Connor Doherty are back in the team as the English club seeks to secure a fifth consecutive victory at Kingston Park across all competitions. Due to the north-east club operating with a reduced squad of 38 players, their capacity for extensive player rotation is limited. Kieran Wilkinson will once again start at fly-half, while the primary number 10, Brett Connon, is listed among the replacements. The Falcons have reached the semi-finals of the European Challenge Cup on five occasions, with their most recent appearance in the final four occurring in 2018. In the 10-team English Premiership, they currently hold ninth position, having secured two wins from seven matches. The Dragons occupy the last position in the United Rugby Championship, having been defeated in all six games since their home victory against Ospreys on the season’s inaugural day. Their most successful run in the Challenge Cup culminated in a semi-final loss to Montpellier in 2016. Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia commented: “Newcastle Falcons are a good team. They are hard-working, blue collar and play the percentages well.” He added: “They played well out in Pau and have a good strong maul, which led to two tries, so we know what is in front of us. They are well coached, hunt for the ball and don’t give away too many opportunities, so we have to take them when they come.” Tiatia concluded: “It will be tough, but every game is an opportunity to stamp your authority on it and impose yourself.” Steve Diamond, Newcastle Falcons’ consultant director of rugby, stated to BBC Radio Newcastle: “We’re at home and we have to win at home. But Dragons are a good side and the URC is a good competition.” Diamond further remarked: “We respect them, they move the ball around a lot, they’ve got some really experienced players, a good forward pack, so it will be a real tough game.” He emphasized: “We’ve not got one eye on Bath (next Premiership game), we’re not good enough to do that. All our focus will be on Dragons. If we can win, hopefully we can still progress through this competition.” The confirmed lineup for Newcastle Falcons is: Ben Redshaw; Adam Radwan, Alex Hearle, Connor Doherty, Ben Stevenson; Kieran Wilkinson, Sam Stuart; Murray McCallum, Alex Fletcher, Richard Palframan, Kiran McDonald, Sebastian de Chaves, Freddie Lockwood, Tom Gordon, Callum Chick (capt). Replacements include: Bryan Byrne, Mickey Rewcastle, Callum Hancock, Finn Baker, Ollie Leatherbarrow, Hugh O’Sullivan, Brett Connon, Oli Spencer. The Dragons’ team is as follows: Huw Anderson; Ewan Rosser, Joe Westwood, Aneurin Owen, Oli Andrew; Angus O’Brien (capt), Che Hope; Rodrigo Martinez, Brodie Coghlan, Chris Coleman, Steve Cummins, George Nott, Ryan Woodman, Dan Lydiate, Aaron Wainwright. Replacements are: Oli Burrows, Josh Reynolds, Paula Latu, Nick Thomas, Evan Minto, Rhodri Williams, Cai Evans, Harry Wilson. The match officials will be: Referee Federico Vedovelli (FIR), Assistant Referees Alberto Favaro & Riccardo Angelucci (FIR), and TMO Stefano Penne (FIR).