HAVING missed out on one of the best nights in Welsh rugby’s recent history Dan Lydiate is eager to experience the thrill of beating England once again on Friday night.

Lydiate was a frustrated spectator as Wales ripped Stuart Lancaster’s men to shreds in a stunning 30-3 win in the 2013 Six Nations decider – the last time the sides met at the Millennium Stadium.

The 27-year-old was watching from the sidelines that night two years ago with an ankle injury picked up playing for the Newport Gwent Dragons.

But he was a part of Warren Gatland’s side that went down to a 29-18 defeat at Twickenham in last year’s tournament so he is out for revenge in Friday’s opener.

“I was in the stadium watching two years ago, it was a great win but I wasn’t a part of it, which was frustrating,” said Lydiate. “You want to be out on the field.

“All I have to go off is last year and last year was a defeat, so hopefully we can put it right this time.

“Losing to England is never a good feeling. They’ll be going into this game confident after their autumn series, and so will we be after our result against South Africa.

“I think this competition will be wide open this time,” he added.

“Northern hemisphere teams came out on top quite a bit in the autumn internationals, so all the sides will be going into the tournament full of confidence, which is good for the game.”

The pre-match talk has been of England’s injury crisis but Lydiate doesn’t believe that will affect the visitors too much.

“England have got such strength in depth, they may have lost a few players through injuries but they have brought in experienced players in-form,” he said.

“There is never a weak England team. England always have a strong team and we know it is a hell of a battle every time we come up against them.

“If we’re not on the money, it will be a really tough day at the office so we just have to make sure we prepare well and go out there all guns blazing.”

Lydiate, who left the Dragons for Racing Metro in 2013, has now returned to Wales with the Ospreys and he says the move back home has helped his preparations for a big year ahead.

“I feel pretty good and have prepared well going into this game,” he said.

“I’m happy. I’ve played more games than I’d managed going in to the autumn internationals, and getting game time is a massive thing for me.”