Lydiate, 33, hasn’t played for Wales since 2018, but he has been in fine form for the Ospreys this season despite the last 12 months of rugby being impacted by Covid-19.
Pivac feels Lydiate’s experience – he has 64 Welsh caps and three for the British & Irish Lions – will be vital when the 2021 Guinness Six Nations begins next month.
“We think he’s the form six in the competition and has been throughout the season. He brings a lot of experience,” Pivac said of Lydiate.
“We had a good look at some young players in the autumn and we know what they can do and what their work-ons are. Clear messages have been sent to those who missed out.
“But Dan brings a wealth of experience and I think he’s back playing some of his best rugby. In the Six Nations, we’re going to need a lot of that experience.”
Dan Lydiate packs down for Wales against Australia on his last Test appearance in 2018
We think he’s the form six in the competition and has been throughout the season. He brings a lot of experience
Lydiate helped Wales to a Six Nations Grand Slam in 2012 and he was named player of the tournament that year.
He has been picked ahead of James Botham and Shane Lewis-Hughes who both impressed in making their debuts in the autumn.
“They were in our discussions and both players have been spoken to,” said Pivac.
“In terms of James, Josh Macleod was the original selection for the autumn campaign but got injured the day before against Glasgow.
“We feel he deserves an opportunity. Obviously James did well when he came in and has a big future, but at the moment we just think Josh is that little bit further ahead in his physicality and we’re certainly going to need that.
“With Shane, that was another interesting discussion. I’ve spoken about the experience Dan brings and his form at the moment.
“There was a choice there between the experienced player in form and the younger man. In this particular competition and what we want to get out of it, we then looked at players who can play in multiple positions like Josh Navidi and Aaron Wainwright.
“In terms of the balance of the loose forwards, that’s why we’ve gone that way.”
Wales begin their 2021 Guinness Six Nations campaign against Ireland at Principality Stadium on February 7.
“Alun Wyn Jones is in training with us at the moment and is flying. He’s on track for the Ireland game and has been named accordingly,” Pivac said.
“There have been a few learnings we’ve taken from, not only the first Six Nations but also the autumn in terms of what we know about the players and about each other as a management group.
“Our game itself didn’t function as well as we would have liked in the last campaign. There is plenty to do and improve on. There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes in terms of our planning and the way we’re going to be playing the game in this competition. We’re making some tweaks.
“We’re definitely looking at the here and now and making sure we focus on the learnings and get better performances. There has been no lack of work ethic. Everyone has rolled their sleeves up and done a great job. It’s a very compatible group.
“Now it’s just a matter of making sure that we control everything we can control and individuals take responsibility on the playing field and training field. We want to get our best performances out on the track in the 80 minutes and we weren’t able to do that in the last campaign.
“I think in parts of the Six Nations pre-lockdown, we were playing some good rugby. We’ve got to be playing good, solid rugby across the 80 minutes and give ourselves the opportunity to win every game.
“It’s something we’ll be working very hard at achieving.”
