DAN Lydiate has been hailed as ‘a special player’ by Wales assistant coach Rob Howley after the Newport Gwent Dragons flanker produced two outstanding performances against England and Scotland.

He has started his first Six Nations Championship campaign with a bang, and though he was controversially replaced after only 53 minutes at Murrayfield last Saturday the Wales management insist there were specific reasons for it.

“Dan is a special player and his contribution against England and Scotland was huge, he does an enormous amount of work in attack and defence,” said Howley.

“We made a call for fresh legs against Scotland, it was nothing to do with with his play, but he made a huge defensive effort.

“I liken him to Richard Hill (the ex-England and Lions flanker) who I played with, you couldn’t see a lot of the work he did, you are unaware of it during the match, but when you look at the tapes afterwards you realise what a huge amount he did.”

Lydiate has been praised not only for his special talent but, along with fellow flanker Sam Warburton, for bringing out the best in Ryan Jones.

The former captain has fought his way back into the side after his days appeared to be numbered, with coach Warren Gatland leaving him out and then including him in the Six Nations squad as much as a lock, where he has been playing for the Ospreys, as a No 8.

But Howley credits Lydiate and Warburton for helping to revive him while their presence is also keeping Jonathan Thomas, another experienced player, on his toes.

“Ryan is enjoying having two young bucks alongside him, it’s bringing out the best in him and he’s like a father figure to them,” he said.

“Jonathan Thomas is fine about it, too, it’s important to have an experienced player on the bench coming on for Dan. It’s good to have everyone competing for places and to have such strength in depth in the back row, there’s a vast amount of competition now with Scarlets youngsters Ross Turnbull and Rob McCusker and Martyn Williams and Andy Powell as well.”

Howley confirmed Gatland’s comment after the Scotland game that there would be no repetition of the Italian game two years ago when 11 changes were made for the trip to Rome and Wales almost came unstuck.

“There won’t be many changes, we’ve learnt from what happened last time, we need to go there with experienced players,” he said.

A decision will be made early next week on whether wing Leigh Halfpenny will be fit enough to be considered for a return, though his replacement Morgan Stoddart continues to play with a broken bone in his hand.

Props Paul James and Craig Mitchell will be fit after suffering minor injuries against Scotland while a decision will also be made on Monday about the fitness of scrum half Dwayne Peel.

The team is due to be announced on Tuesday.