IT WAS a special moment for plenty of us at Newport Gwent Dragons to see Dan Lydiate and Taulupe Faletau winning their 50th caps for Wales against Fiji at the Millennium Stadium yesterday.

Having played alongside them in the back row so many times I know front first-hand experience what great players they are as well as being good blokes.

I played Wales Under-20s rugby with ‘Lyds’ and he has always had an incredible work rate and is prepared to do the unglamourous stuff for the team, hitting rucks and making his tackles.

He is a player who opens games up for Toby to carry like a demon and for his seven to get over the ball with the chop-tackling that everyone now knows him for.

Dan is a classic example of a team player and if everyone was like him – just doing their job and knowing their role – you’d have a very successful side.

The achievements of Toby and Lyds shows that the Dragons academy system has been working for a fair few years and it’s been nice to see that some fresh blood has joined them in the international squad.

Hallam Amos did really well on a massive stage in the World Cup win against England at Twickenham before injury struck while the door opened for Tyler Morgan to get his chance against Fiji.

Hopefully the number of Dragons getting international honours will continue to rise.

IT’S been nice at training this week to have the carrot of a Guinness Pro12 game for us all to look forward to.

We’ve been waiting for a game since our win against Zebre on September 11 and a trip to Dublin to face Leinster presents us with a great opportunity.

I’m up for selection after recovering from the foot injury that forced me off in the win against the Italians and there has been a real competitive edge in training – nobody has nailed down a start yet.

We’ve had a fair few live sessions to keep everyone on their toes and it was important to keep things ticking over ahead of what will be a really physical encounter, especially up front. Leinster have are good lineout and are a well-drilled side even without their Ireland stars.

We’ve got the chance to back up last season’s win in Dublin and that success – the Dragons’ first over there – gives us plenty of confidence.

ON the coaching front it was nice to enjoy a derby win with Newport against Bedwas.

It was important to get a win at Rodney Parade even if you could say it wasn’t deserved; it can be a good sign for a side if they have the ability to win ugly.

We travel to Aberavon this weekend for what will be another tough game. They’ve won all four this season but it’s a challenge that we are looking forward to.