Young rugby players training in Monmouth were paid a visit by Welsh Grand Slam winner Dan Lydiate last week.

Lydiate, named player of the tournament in this year's Six Nations, was in town as part of the Welsh Rugby Union's (WRU) Junior Stars training camp.

"It is nice to see the boys playing in the sun," he said, "they are doing well."

The three day camp gave the rugby international, who started playing at the age of 10, an opportunity for his first trip to Monmouth.

The camp, which ran from Tuesday to Thursday and was open to youngsters from local schools and rugby clubs, was one of a number being run across the Dragons region.

WRU coaches Anthony Palmer and Christian Hitt spent three days helping to develop not only the players' rugby skills but their personal and social skills, too.

"The children are aged seven to 14 and come here with a range of skill levels," said Palmer.

Rather than focusing on traditional training drills, the camp encourages children to play games such as 'crugby' – a cross between cricket and rugby – which are fun ways to improve kicking and passing skills.

"Some of the games and warm ups are invented by the children themselves, so they are being creative which reflects when they are in a game," said Palmer.

"In 10 years' time hopefully these will be the guys playing for Wales and throwing passes behind their backs and off-loads will be no problem for them."

After joining in a coaching session, Lydiate took part in a question and answer session with the children at Monmouth Rugby Club.

The Dragons flanker revealed his best friend in the Wales side is captain Sam Warburton, and when pressed for the best Wales player said it had been "an honour to play alongside Shane Williams and a nightmare to play against him".

When asked what advice he had for young players just starting out in the game, he said: "It doesn't just happen. You will have a lot of ups and downs, not getting picked in squads etc, but keep working hard and the rewards will come".

One of the children asked: "What would you do if you were not a professional rugby player?" Lydiate replied: "I'd be a farmer. I'm from rural west Wales and I'd be up there chasing sheep."

Of the international teams he has faced, Wales' Number 6 said he most enjoyed lining up against New Zealand.

"I've only played against the All Blacks once but everyone loves the haka and to stand there in front of it is fantastic," he said.

Lydiate, who had his first taste of silverware winning the Triple Crown against England at Twickenham, said he was actually a big fan of the England that won the World Cup in 2003 and named Richard Hill as his rugby hero.

"I've tried to model myself on the type of player he was. He was a bit of an unsung hero but teammates and coaches would say he was the first name on the teamsheet."

Although he was "honoured" to be named Six Nations player of the tournament, Lydiate said he rates Ireland's Stephen Ferris as "the best blindside flanker in Britain right now" and the All Black Jerome Kaino as the world's best in his position.