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Not all of Steve Tandy’s coaching team has travelled with the squad to Argentina and South Africa
Wales’ newly-appointed assistant coach Dan Lydiate is not with the team in Argentina and won’t travel to South Africa, it has emerged.
It is understood Lydiate and a number of other backroom staff have been left behind in Wales.
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.
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But Lydiate is only contracted to work on weekdays, and, according to a Welsh Rugby Union source, his role does not involve match days, although he was present for Wales’ Nations Championship opener against Fiji at the Cardiff City Stadium last weekend.
This will also be the case for the new attacking skills coach role, when one is appointed.
It is not uncommon for certain members of the backroom team to stay at home for trips to the Southern Hemisphere for budgetary reasons, with members of the medical S&C team and analysis not travelling.
But it may be a surprise to some not to see Lydiate travel given his importance to the national side.
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.
“He has done a really good job around the contact area but also with the mindset of the group,” said Tandy when Lydiate was appointed on a full-time basis in May.
“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.”
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.
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