CHOP-TACKLING Wales flanker Dan Lydiate intends to add a new dimension to his game in the Six Nations.

The 27-year-old blindside has earned himself the reputation as one of the finest defensive players on the planet, becoming a master of bringing big runners down to earth to enable his openside to get over the ball.

But Lydiate's carrying has come under close scrutiny and last autumn he made just nine metres with ball in hand in four Tests.

With Ospreys teammates James King and Justin Tipuric waiting in the wings, the former Newport Gwent Dragons back rower knows that he needs to add more strings to his bow.

"You still want to do the things you are good at but want to develop as a player and I want to add the carrying to my game," admitted 41-times capped Lydiate.

"I'd like to get some ball in hand so there's a bit of variation in my game while also sticking to my strengths.

"If I can get a few more carries every game it will help the other boys in the team by sharing the load. You have to evolve as a player."

Lydiate says that was part of his thinking in returning to Wales on a dual contract from a miserable spell with Racing Metro in France's Top 14.

He said: "You have to play to develop as a rugby player. Out there, I wasn't really getting the opportunity to develop, because I wasn't playing.

"It's different in France because you play left and right (rather than openside and blindside) and have so different roles in the whole dynamic of a game.

"But it was a good experience for me in terms of the lifestyle and getting to see what it was like to play over there. Hopefully, that experience will push me on and help me become a better player."

The bookies would offer short odds on Lydiate combining with Taulupe Faletau and Sam Warburton in the back row in the tournament opener with England next Friday.

The trio have joined forces 20 times to become Wales' most used combination, overtaking Dai Morris, Mervyn Davies and John Taylor, but the former Dragons man insists there are no secure spots under Warren Gatland.

"We know each well now and know what each other brings to the table," he said. "We complement each other well but at the Ospreys I'm really enjoying having the chance to play with Justin Tipuric a bit more and James King as well.

"We are blessed with strength in depth at the minute. Josh Navidi has been playing very well this season and he's been unlucky with selection.

"There are boys waiting in the wings, so we know if we're not performing we'll be given the elbow. It keeps us on our toes. We all train hard to be the best we can be.

"I don't think anyone is guaranteed a place, and I believe most of the boys have the same mentality. If you are always worried for your place, then you are in a good place."