Prop Dillon Lewis has reflected on how much he has enjoyed his first season with Dragons RFC – as he looks to cap his return with a place in the Wales match day squad this weekend.
Lewis is one of four Dragons currently in camp with Wales ahead of the inaugural Nations Championship campaign – alongside Aaron Wainwright, Ben Carter and Ryan Woodman.
The 30-year-old front row could now feature this weekend as Wales face the Barbarians in a double-header at the Allianz Stadium in London on Saturday.
And ahead of that fixture, Lewis has looked back on his first season with the Men of Gwent and spoken about how that has helped spark his international return.
“I've loved my time with Dragons. It's a great club, the players are amazing, and I've enjoyed working under Filo (Tiatia), Hobbsy, Matt O’Brien and Dale MacLeod.
“I've really enjoyed it. It's a great club filled with great people, and there's been a lot of positive progress this year.
“Filo is someone I have really enjoyed working under. We had a few good honest conversations at the beginning of the year when you map out what your goals and aspirations are, and he's been great.
“Dragons have been a massive part in me being back with Wales.
“I feel a lot more mature in my rugby now. Going away develops not just rugby, but you also grow up quite a lot as well.
“Hopefully I’m a more mature player, a more rounded player, but still hungry.
“I've come off the back of a couple of frustrating injuries over the past two years. I felt like I had a good pre-season with Dragons, just hitting the ground running, and then the calf tear.
“It's frustrating, but luckily, we have a good medical team at Dragons.
“There's a lot of competition too, which is only healthy. Rob Hunt has been fantastic for the Dragons this year and you also have Chris Coleman.
“It’s been a bit of a cursed jersey in terms of injuries, as one gets back fit, the other one is injured. But competition is good, and hopefully we'll be full strength for it the next season.”
Lewis has clocked up 57 caps for his country since making his debut against Tonga back in 2017 but has not featured since March 2024.
However, after his recall, that wait could end this weekend in London and he has revealed how he never gave up on a return to the number three Welsh jersey.
“The last two years has been riddled with a few injuries, which hasn't helped my case, but it was never something I gave up on,” he stated.
“Coming back to Wales was a big driving factor - trying to be in the shop window as much as possible, and, luckily, I've got some form towards the end of the season.
“It’s never something I closed the door on; it's always something I aspired to get back into. “It’s been amazing coming in and working with Steve (Tandy),” he added.
“You hear with all boys coming back into the clubs and speaking so highly in the environment, and how much they enjoyed it.
“It's tough to listen to, but it also spurs you on to try and get back up there, so I've loved being back in the environment.
“It’s completely fresh with a new coaching staff, everything's a bit different, with a new outlook on the game and coaching methods.”
Filo is someone I have really enjoyed working under... We had a few good honest conversations at the beginning of the year when you map out what your goals and aspirations are, and he's been great... Dragons have been a massive part in me being back with Wales.
