Powerful second-row Beard has earnt a Six Nations recall having been left out of Wayne Pivac’s Autumn Nations Cup squad, while veteran blindside Lydiate has been selected for the first time since 2018, with prop Jones also included after a spell away from the national squad.
And Ospreys head coach Booth insists their recall to the Wales squad proves how strong the Ospreys environment is. “It’s reward for Dan (Lydiate) as an individual,” said the former London Irish, Bath and Harlequins coach.
“He’s at that stage of his career where some people will say his best years are behind him. But I love the fact that he’s sent a message to these early 30s boys that he can still go.
“It’s a credit to him and the strength and conditioning staff. Getting Dan and Rhodri Jones back into the squad is a good advert for what we are doing here.”
Wales’ squad will meet up on Monday ahead of their Six Nations opener with Ireland at the Principality Stadium. And Booth is confident Beard will be a massive hit for Wales in the Six Nations having enjoyed a stellar campaign for the Ospreys.
“We’ve been pretty dominant up front in a lot of games that you’ve seen,” said Booth. “We are developing Adam as a leader on the pitch not just in the lineout.
“He’s thriving in that role and that’s been recognised by his inclusion. We talk about managing disappointment but ultimately the job of the player is to influence the national coaches that they’ve effectively made a mistake and I’m the right man for the job.
“Ultimately Beardy has done that. Dan Lydiate has probably done that even though the time frame is bigger.
“Every coach wants players who are in form and who can deliver on your principles and philosophies of the game. Those two have done that.”
