Lydiate is the latest of Wales’ 2012 RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam stars being utilised by the Welsh Rugby Union in a series of new clips reflecting the intense training regimes today’s international players are subjected to.
The Dragons and Wales hero is depicted throwing tractor tyres uphill on a Caerphilly mountainside in Rockwood Riding centre.
Also tomorrow, Scarlets fly-half Rhys Priestland stars in his own film punting huge kicks over Pontsarn Viaduct in Merthyr.
Already Blues full-back Leigh Halfpenny and Scarlets wing George North have been seen re-enacting notoriously tough international training regimes on location in Porthcawl and in Coed-y-Wenault forest.
Halfpenny is seen sprinting against a horse across a sandy beach in Rest Bay and North is depicted carrying tree trunks at full pace through the forest.
The TV ads are part of a comprehensive WRU marketing campaign which sets out to show the lengths players go to make it in international rugby whilst depicting them in uniquely Welsh environments and encouraging fans to support their national side at the Millennium Stadium this November, as they attempt to re-create last season’s Grand Slam glory against the Pumas, Samoa, the All Blacks and the Wallabies.
“We are the reigning RBS Six Nations Champions and all four of the teams visiting Wales this Autumn will be looking to knock us of our perch,” said Welsh Rugby Union Commercial Head, Craig Maxwell.
“This campaign is all about showing just how hard the players have worked to get where they are and reminding the fans that the players need them now as much as they have ever done.
“The coaches will prepare this Wales team as well as ever, with another gruelling trip to Poland already planned before that first match against the Pumas.
“The players and the coaches will be ready, but we want to makes sure we are doing our bit to and that means getting as many fans into the stadium to support the team as possible.
“We know what it will mean to this side to get a Southern Hemisphere scalp to go with last year’s Grand Slam and they won’t want to lose a single game in the series.
“They will be putting the hard work in and we hope we have reflected that with this advertising campaign and we hope that it reminds the nation that the players both need and deserve our support.”
Wales’ clash with the All Blacks at the Millennium Stadium is already sold out, but tickets remain for their meeting with impressive Rugby Championship newcomers Argentina, South Sea Islanders Samoa and Rugby World Cup nemesis side Australia. Prizes start at £60 for the series climax clash with the Wallabies, but children can watch Samoa and/or the Pumas for a s little as £10 per head with an adult ticket starting at £25 and £30 respectively.
FIXTURES STILL ON SALE:
10 November 2012, 1430hrs, Millennium Stadium
WALES v ARGENTINA Adults £30 U16 £10
16 November 2012, 1930hrs, Millennium Stadium
WALES v SAMOA Adults £25 U16 £10
1 December 2012 1430 hrs
WALES v AUSTRALIA From £60
Tickets on sale now wru.co.uk
