Peter Jackson: Dan Lydiate saga shows Warren Gatland has more to worry about than his squad’s fitness

The smoke signals coming out of Paris have different meaning for different people but one underlying fact cannot be disputed. Racing Metro have come to the conclusion that some of their expensive Welsh contingent are no longer worth the candle.
Two months into the season, the Parisians have taken steps to cutting their losses on Dan Lydiate and, to a lesser extent, Jamie Roberts. Nor do they sound overly enamoured with their other Welsh signings, Mike Phillips and Luke Charteris.
“We have already discussed the issue with them,” head coach Laurent Labit said. “They have never really been that effective since their arrival.”
The message between the lines from the Racing camp could hardly be mistaken – we should be getting more value for our money.
Warren Gatland‘s concerns about general levels of fitness in France will be nothing compared to his dismay at learning how two pillars of his Test team are viewed at the sharp end of the French game.
*This article was first published in The Rugby Paper on October 19.