Saturday’s Wales game against Scotland was made for Dan Lydiate, with Scotland repeatedly sending heavy runners in to his defensive channel. Lydiate made 23 tackles in the game (none missed) but it’s his strength in the tackle and at the contact area that are so impressive.
With gainline superiority a key aspect of winning a game of rugby, having someone like Lydiate standing in those narrow channels and taking out the opposition runners, gives a massive advantage.
He can either tackle very low (we covered his “chop tackle” technique which incurred the wrath of some referees, a few years ago) but he has refined his technique to make it more acceptable to officials.
When he tackles high, his physical attributes mean defenders often stop dead and fail to gain any momentum over the gainline. He has also developed his game to now provide a jackal option over the ball.
Lydiate may not have the best carrying game and doesn’t often get used at the breakdown, but if you want a defensive 6 to stop players on the gainline there are few better.
Here are some highlights from his game.
(1) Off an attacking lineout Lydiate comes around the corner and makes a good gain over the tackle line
(2) In a defensive position, Lydiate is first out of the line and makes his trademark tackle to immediately take the carrier down. With the help of Moriarty as the second tackler, Scotland lose distance on the play.
(3) Jonny Gray is taken to ground in a strong (but high!) hit from Lydiate
(4) Lydiate again leads the line and targets the legs of the carrier, giving the supporting players the chance to jackal and either win, or slow, the ball.
(5) Scotland continue to send heavy forward runners down Lydiate’s channel, with little success as he hits Toolis behind the gainline
(6) Lydiate is the jackal in this phase as he spiders (illegally) over the ball and slows the Scottish move. The referee allowed him to do it, so it’s good play.
(7) Lydiate and Jones stop the carrier dead in his tracks
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