Lydiate almost certain to miss NZ tour

Lydiate, who captained Wales in the 13-27 loss in the absence of Sam Warburton, looked distraught as he went off halfway through the first-half.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland admitted things looked grim for the flank ahead of Wales flying to New Zealand on Monday for a three-Test series.

He insisted: "He is struggling. He has got a hamstring and potentially an AC [shoulder] injury as well."

Gatland said no decision has been made on a possible replacement for the 57 times-capped Ospreys flank, but admitted he needs a "miracle" to recover in time.

He claimed: "I think Dan has got to process it himself in terms of the tour could already be over for him. It is incredibly disappointing that it is unlikely he is going to be getting on the plane tomorrow.

"He will go back to the hotel to have ice and stuff. The assessment from our physios doesn't look very positive at the moment."

Wales were already without wing Alex Cuthbert and flank Justin Tipuric through injuries for the New Zealand trip, while Warburton is recovering from a shoulder injury that sidelined him this weekend.

Warburton, though, is expected to be fit for the opening Test against New Zealand in Auckland on June 11. And Warburton insisted: "I can't wait for the Tests in New Zealand. We will be going there to give it everything we have, and we are confident we can compete with them even though they are not world champions for nothing."

Agence France-Presse