SHANE Lewis-Hughes is confident a ‘scary’ move to the Dragons can get him back to the levels that saw him star for Wales.
The blindside flanker is preparing for a first season at Rodney Parade after arriving from Cardiff on a two-year deal.
The no-nonsense forward has already made a big impression on his new coaches and teammates in pre-season and will aim to be a regular with 6 on his back in the coming campaign.
If the Dragons can get the best out of the 26-year-old from Tylorstown/Ferndale then they have a destructive back rower who has shown he can mix it on the Test stage.
Lewis-Hughes made a huge impression in the autumn of 2020 when he made his Wales debut against Scotland but the last of his three caps, all won behind closed doors because of Covid, came against England that November.
The flanker then fell out of favour at Cardiff in the chaotic end of the Dai Young era and has opted to head for the Dragons after failing to build up a head of steam.
“I’ve had a tough few seasons with injuries so this was a good opportunity to try something different,” said the forward.
“The boys have made me feel settled from day one and I’ve enjoyed every minute of a really, really tough pre-season.
“To be honest it was a scary change after being at Cardiff for so long at senior level. It was scary having to move but it is probably the best thing that I have done in terms of challenging myself.
“It’s a fresh start for me and it has been so frustrating in recent years because I know what I am capable of when I am able to put games back-to-back.
“I have never doubted myself and the levels that I can hit through effort in training and stuff behind the scenes to nail things on game day.
“I am looking forward to this fresh start and staying fit because my goal will always be to play for Wales. That will never stop as long as I am playing.”
Lewis-Hughes did feature 11 times under Matt Sherratt at Cardiff last season, albeit just one of his nine starts was at blindside.
After helping out as a makeshift lock, the forward is relishing the chance to get back to what he does best – hitting hard as a back rower.
“It was needs must and it means I’ve got another string to my bow for getting into the matchday 23, but everyone knows that 6 is my main position,” said Lewis-Hughes.
“Physicality is expected of me as a 6 and I love to bring that, especially in defence. That’s what my game is and I love having a licence to be physical.
“I will always base my game on that. If you can do the other fluffy stuff then great, but physicality is essential in this position and I enjoy that.”
Lewis-Hughes is happy to provide the grunt and allow dynamic back rowers Aaron Wainwright, Taine Basham and Ollie Griffiths do their thing.
“You work as a trio and don’t have the same players doing the same things,” said the new signing.
“The best back rows in the world are the ones that complement each other – you only have to look at Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton, Taulupe Faletau for that with their skill sets when playing for Wales.
“With the depth in the back row here, I am looking forward to the competition and playing alongside some great players.”
Lewis-Hughes is also getting the chance to hone his skills with the help of Lydiate, who is now in a coach-player role, and new forwards coach Filo Tiatia, the former All Blacks back rower and Ospreys favourite.
“Dan is arguably the best 6 that Wales has ever had. He has been amazing with me and is so good with the detail,” said Lewis-Hughes.
“He takes drills and you can see why he was the best chop-tackler in the world because he is so technically sound.
“I am always trying to pick his brains and then there is Filo who brings the edge and intensity – he really commands respect.
“There are some really good people to learn from, both coaches and other players.”
Lewis-Hughes has made the switch to a side that has traditionally finished as bottom Welsh team but he intends to help change the record at a club that finished one from bottom of the United Rugby Championship last season.
“I’ve said for years that the Dragons should be doing better. All the boys are buying into this because on paper we should be beating a lot more teams,” he said.
“It’s trying to get us all obsessed with the common goal and on the same page, because there is no questioning the talent here.”
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