ELITE athletes at Poland’s Olympic training base in Spala are proving an inspiration to the Welsh rugby squad, says Dragons back row ace Dan Lydiate.

The Wales squad are in Poland on a pre-World Cup training camp.

Polish Olympic gold medallist shot putter Tomasz Majewski is just one of a host of top names from the Olympic world who are using the facility alongside Wales’ international rugby stars, but at 6ft 8ins tall and weighing in at 140kgs Tomasz, in particular, has proved difficult to miss.

Lydiate and the rest of the 35-man squad are sharing mealtimes and training facilities with a variety of dedicated Olympians including hammer throwers, pole vaulters, a fencing team and wrestlers and they can’t help but be impressed.

“We are lucky in that we have each other to help maintain focus, to keep up the levels of competition within the squad to ensure we all stay motivated when it gets physically and mentally tough,” said Lydiate.

“But some of these Olympic athletes are in individual sports and the mental strength they have to reach and to stay at the top level is impressive.

“We have been up early and working hard through some long days out here, but we are all relishing the competition with each other. Then we see Tomasz in his sand pit throwing his shot putt day after day and that kind of dedication is inspiring.

“We’ve also been watching the wrestlers and the fencing team and it creates a great training atmosphere. The facilities are top notch and to be surrounded by so many people at the top level of their own discipline creates a positive environment.”

Dragons flanker Lydiate is in only his second season for Wales. He has nailed down his starting place in the ultra-competitive back row but is taking nothing for granted.

“The World Cup is creeping up on us and we have three matches left to prove we are worthy of a place on that plane to New Zealand,” he said.

“The competition for places is intense and we know we are going to have to perform next month. If you want to secure your place you are going to have to take your chance when you get it. The World Cup is a once in a lifetime opportunity and everyone wants to make sure they are there.

“The competition for places means there is real jeopardy for everyone as it’s got to be your ultimate aim. You have to keep your head down and work hard and hope you come out of it the other end intact and still in the mix. And then, if you get there, the intensity goes up a level again.”

Lydiate joined his teammates watching live footage of Pool D opponents Fiji’s clash with New Zealand in Dunedin, which saw the All Blacks finish 60 -14 victors.

“Fiji were beaten, but they scored two tries and showed how physical they can be. They showed there is no big gap at this level of rugby any more,” he said.

“More and more it comes down to what happens on the day and that is what is going to decide our group at the World Cup. The Samoans proved that by beating Australia, it’s not a lesson we needed to learn as players, we learnt it a long time ago. But the expectations will be different which may help us at World Cup time.

“No longer do people expect these teams to be turned over with ease and everyone knows it’s going to be a tough physical battle every time you go out on the pitch against them.”