FLANKER Dan Lydiate insists that nobody is undroppable in the Wales squad and says that they are feeling the heat ahead of Sunday's Six Nations clash with Scotland.

Head coach Warren Gatland has resisted the temptation to wield the axe after the poor performance in defeat to England in the tournament opener at the Millennium Stadium.

Former Newport Gwent Dragons blindside Lydiate was one of those seen to be most vulnerable after a display that contrasted starkly with that of opposite number James Haskell, who was man of the match with an all-action display in attack and defence.

Lydiate is being kept on his toes by Ospreys teammates Justin Tipuric and James King and knows that he needs to produce the goods at Murrayfield.

"Our second half performance wasn't up to scratch against England," he said. "We've been given a second shot as a team and it's up to us to put it right.

"There's always pressure on us. When you are waiting for the squad announcement everyone is on edge. No-one takes their place for granted.

"You are only as good your last performance and we didn't perform against England. Individually we need to put our hands up this weekend and we need to do the same as a collective."

Scotland are also looking to get up and running but unlike Wales there was reason for optimism after a strong display when edged out 15-8 by France in Paris.

Wales have never lost to the Scots under Gatland but Lydiate knows that it will take a monumental effort from the pack to take the spoils.

He said: "It's a tough task going up to Murrayfield, especially how Scotland played last week. It's going to be hard.

"Their back row is a really good unit. I've played against Rob Harley over the years and he is really good at the tackle area, Blair Cowan is good over the ball while Johnnie Beattie is a really good ball carrier. It's a strong unit."