There are only two team sports represented in this years short list, one being Grand slam winning player of the tournament Lydiate, who is the only rugby union player nominated.
The Newport Gwent Dragons player fractured his ankle whilst playing against Edinburgh in the men of Gwent’s RaboDirect Pro 12, so he missed out on the Wales’ autumn test series.
Voting lines for BBC Cymru Wales Sports Personality of the Year 2012 will open from 08:00 GMT on 3 December and close at 18:00 GMT on Saturday, 8 December.
Full voting terms and conditions will be available on the BBC website and will also be carried on radio and television.
The winner will be unveiled on the evening of Monday, 10 December and there is an awards ceremony that evening at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
This event is not connected with the UK Sports Personality of the Year and is for the Wales award only.