Dragons also want WRU help to keep Lydiate

Newport Gwent Dragons say if Cardiff Blues and the Welsh Rugby Union struck a deal to keep Wales centre Jamie Roberts in Wales, they would expect the same for Dan Lydiate.
The Wales flanker is out of contract at Rodney Parade in the summer and has raised interests from Racing Metro across The Channel.
As reported in The Rugby Paper, Blues chairman Peter Thomas claims he has opened talks about a dual contract to keep Roberts in Wales.
Dragons director of rugby Robert Beale said: “We are always open to discussions to keep our players in Wales and within our region.
“If that type of assistance is available then I hope it will be made available to us and not just the Blues, the Scarlets or the Ospreys.”
“We have certainly made approaches to say we would like assistance, if there is assistance available, to keep Dan Lydiate in our region and playing for Wales,” said Beale.
“We have not had any real great feedback from that.”
Beale admits the Dragons have already started talks with Lydiate, who broke his anklein the Pro12 victory over Edinburgh, about a new contract.
Lydiate has undergone surgery and is expected to be sidelined for at least three month before he can contemplate doing any sort of rugby fitness.
He added: “I’m always hopeful we can keep a player, I have already spoken to Dan about his future and am waiting for him to come back to me.”