WELSH international and former Dragons captain Dan Lydiate made a rugby fan's day by surprising her with a personal visit at her home near Abergavenny.

Helen Langley, 55, had been to every Wales home game at Principality Stadium for 12 years, summing up her huge passion for the national team.

But Mrs Langley was diagnosed with stage-four cancer in 2017, and the illness meant she missed out on watching Warren Gatland’s side in live action.

With her mother missing out on watching her beloved Wales, Mrs Langley’s daughter Laura wrote to Oil 4 Wales – where Lydiate is an ambassador – to see if he could send an autograph.

The Ospreys flanker topped that by paying Mrs Langley a visit, alongside former Wales and Scarlets back-row ace Dafydd Jones.

Mrs Langley said: “I’ve been a huge Wales fan all my life and going to watch the team in Cardiff meant so much to me.

“Unfortunately I haven’t been able to make it to any of the matches over the last year or so due to my illness.

"To have a player like Dan take the time to make a personal visit means so much to me.

“I can’t quite believe he knocked on my door and with Dafydd Jones there as well. I’m very grateful.”

Lydiate said: “Welsh rugby fans are the life and soul of the game in Wales and they mean so much to every player who is lucky enough to wear the red shirt.

“When I heard about Helen’s story I had to come and visit her. To go to every home game for 12 years is an incredible achievement and I told her the players were very grateful for her support.

“It was a pleasure to meet Helen, Laura and their extended family. As rugby players it’s important we give back to our fans and this was just a small gesture I was delighted to make.”

Jones, who won 42 Wales caps and scored two tries before retiring in 2011, is also an ambassador for independent fuel supplier Oil 4 Wales.

He said: “Dan was the star attraction, but it was amazing for me to hear about Helen’s unbelievable passion for Welsh rugby.

“Both Dan and I wished her all the best. It’s supporters like her that make the game in Wales what it is.”

Oil 4 Wales provides a range of services to homes, businesses, commercial premises, agricultural and retail customers throughout Wales