THE coming season promises to be something of a new dawn for Dragons wing tyro Ashton Hewitt after two years in which he has barely played due to concussion and two shoulder operations.
Hewitt, 24, is now back fit and firing in pre-season training.
It's good news for new Dragons director of rugby Dean Ryan who is the latest coach tasked with reviving the Welsh region's fortunes after years of underachievement.
Ryan faces a tough job but in Hewitt he has a man who will be almost like a new signing given his extended time on the sidelines.
“The buzz is definitely back and nothing motivates the boys like a new boss. Everyone is bouncing around and working very hard,” Hewitt told TRP.
“Personally it's just great to be fit and I'll be ready for the start of the new season. I had one shoulder operation a few years ago which went fine, but then I had a nasty concussion which prevented me from playing in the 2017 Six Nations.
“That was lengthy and very frustrating, but the next shoulder injury was the worst. The second time it was a contact injury and dislocated my shoulder through the front. That was on the Thursday before we were due to fly out for the 2018 summer tour.
“It was gutting and then the repair failed again 16 weeks into my recovery. I had to have another operation where they blocked the front of my shoulder with a piece of bone and it was the most down I've been in my career so far. I went a year without playing which was extremely frustrating, but now it's back to business as usual.”
Hewitt's combination of raw pace and eye for the try line make him a highly promising talent, yet an inability to stay fit has hindered him so far. He has been named in two Wales squads by Warren Gatland yet has not had the chance to impress.
“It's every Welsh player's long-term goal to play for Wales and solidify their place in the squad,” Hewitt said. “My task of doing that has been made a bit trickier because my injury has meant other players like Josh Adams and Steffan Evans have had the opportunity to come through.
“It will be a challenge for me, but it's a goal nevertheless. It will be interesting to see how many changes Wayne Pivac makes to the set-up, but I have to do my job for the Dragons first.
“I've still got my best rugby ahead of me. I'll carry my current confidence into the start of the season and will hit the ground running as I'm in the best shape I have been for a while. If a Wales call comes, I'll have to take my chance which I haven't done in the past.”
Hewitt's first task is to stay fit and impress with the Dragons. He is already playing a leadership role at the region despite his tender years. Lead your eyes to see page for details of casino bonus codes.
“I'm quite vocal and opinionated on what goes on,” Hewitt said. “The glimpses Dean has given us so far have shown me he's all about playing. He recognises the talent we've got and he wants to utilise that. We've got everything a team needs and our underachievement in the last few years has been hard for me to understand.”
