WALES star Dan Lydiate insists he has no regrets about leaving Newport Gwent Dragons for Racing Metro as he returns to Paris this weekend.

Lydiate quit the Dragons for a big money move to the French capital in 2013 but returned home with the Ospreys at the end of last year having failed to make his mark in the Top 14.

But, as he prepares to go back to face France in the Six Nations on Saturday night, the 27-year-old says he is glad that he took the chance to leave Rodney Parade and try his luck over the Channel.

“It was sort of a mixed bag,” admitted Lydiate of his time with Racing Metro. “The whole experience of living in France and the people we met was brilliant but the rugby side of it didn’t go to plan.

“Obviously I would have liked to have played more but that’s life; it doesn’t always work out how you want it to.

“I’m glad I’ve ticked that box, just to say I’ve been out there and given it a go but it just wasn’t meant to be.

“At the end of the day I’m a rugby player and I want to play rugby.

“I don’t regret it,” he added. “I wanted to stay out there because I signed for three years and I wanted to fulfil my contract but things change.

“I want to play rugby and I wasn’t playing rugby so you have to make a decision.

“I’m happy now because I’m back home and I’m playing rugby so that’s the main thing.”

Lydiate says he won’t have any extra motivation to prove himself at the Stade de France.

“You always want to make a statement, you want to give a good representation of yourself so this game will be no different,” he said.

“It may be slightly different this time because I’m playing against boys that I used to play alongside.

“That’s quite cool as well, but you want to prove yourself in every game.

“Hopefully after the game I’ll meet up with the boys and have a really good catch-up,” he added.

“There’s always a bit of banter so it will be good.”

French head coach Philippe Saint-Andre will name his side this morning and Lydiate is expecting a tough afternoon.

“It’s a massive game for both teams,” he said. “We have a bit of momentum after Scotland and we want to keep that going but it will be a massive challenge.

“I’m not sure who they are going to pick but they will be foaming at the mouth for this game with a point to prove after losing to Ireland, so it’s going to be a big battle.”