Lydiate, meanwhile, has had a stellar 12 months, becoming a first team regular in the Welsh back row and forming an impressive partnership with fellow youngster Sam Warburton.

But despite cementing his place in the team ahead of Grand Slam winning captain Ryan Jones and Williams, Lydiate revealed he would welcome the return of the 98-cap veteran.

“Martyn is still a class player,” said the 23-year-old who was forced to switch to openside when Warburton went off injured early in Wales’ Six Nations defeat to France.

“I definitely wouldn’t rule him out of the World Cup squad.

“He’s still a quality flanker and I expect him to be there or thereabouts in New Zealand.

“It was tough for me to switch to openside against France because I haven’t played there that much.

“But I enjoy playing for Wales in any position, and if I play a few games there I’ll get used to the lines I need to run.

“Whatever happens though, I’ll never be as good there as Sam.

“There’s a lot of depth in the back row in Wales at the moment so we all have to keep performing.

“We’ve got a really good balance at the moment between older players and young guys coming through, and some even younger players pushing them.”

Lydiate was the only member of the Newport-Gwent Dragons to feature in the Six Nations but does not feel he is being held back by sticking with Darren Edwards’ side.

And with rising stars Toby Faletau and Jason Tovey both tied to the club for next season, Lydiate is enjoying his time with the Dragons.

He added: “It was a nice change to come back to the Dragons after the Six Nations.

“I had a week off after the France game and then got back into it here.

“We were obviously bitterly disappointed about our performance in Paris so it was nice to focus on something else.

“We’ve had a fairly disappointing season but there are a lot of very good players coming through.

“I know that while I keep playing well I’ll be in contention for the Welsh team.

“It was a massive achievement for me to start every game of the Six Nations.

“With the depth we have, it really shows the faith the coaches have in me.

“But even if I’m first choice for now, I know I need to keep playing at my best if I want to make the World Cup team.”