Lydon plots route to Ireland, via Ealing
After three seasons at the Athletic ground, the 24-year-old full-back decided to cross Kew Bridge to join last season’s semi-finalists as he looks to take his career to the next level.
Leaving his native Ireland before having a shot at the PRO12, Lydon played the 2013/14 season with Stade Francais before linking up with the Exiles.
He has established himself as one of the leading full-backs in the Championship since then with his boot securing many last-ditch wins for the Exiles, but he felt he needed to be challenged further if he is to fulfil his dream of playing international rugby.
“You have to be realistic and take it step by step but the dream is to play for Ireland,” he told The Rugby Paper. “I’d been at Scottish for three seasons but I felt like I needed a move and Ealing is the sort of club that’s going places.
“I had contacts with other clubs including some in the PRO12 and the Premiership, but Ealing came in early and they made it clear they wanted me to sign for them.
“I was also impressed with the plans they have for the future. They’re playing in the top end of the table and that’s what I want to be involved in.
“Chatting to the coaches Ben Ward and Alex Codling, it was obvious we were on the same wavelength in terms of what I was after and what they wanted for me.
“The squad here is a lot bigger than at Scottish and I know full well I’m going to be challenged. I want to play every week but I know the competition for places will be very high.
“That’s something I didn’t have at Scottish for the past couple of seasons. Knowing that someone is hot on your heels drives you forward as a player.
“You know that if you have a bad game you’re likely to miss out the following week. I need that pressure to be at my best.”
Lydon has a proven record when it comes to goal-kicking but he’s also looking to bring his playmaking abilities to Vallis Way to add even more width to the Trailfinders’ high flying attack.
He added: “I’ll probably play from full-back this season but you can’t just sit at the back and wait for the ball to come your way these days.
“I’m looking to get involved a lot in attack and be a second playmaker on the field.
“Gone are the days where teams only rely on their No.10 to direct the attack so I’ll be looking to take some pressure of our fly-half.
“It’s a position I played in the past so maybe I can bring my experience more infield and bring our strike runners into the game.
“We’ve already started to look at how we want to play the game with conditioning games and we’re all looking forward to the season to start.”
NICK VERDIER
