FLANKER Shane Lewis-Hughes was one of the breakout Wales stars of 2020, but the Cardiff tyro feels he is almost starting his career again after five months out with a shoulder injury.
Lewis-Hughes, 23, was plucked from relative regional rugby obscurity to make his Test debut against Scotland in the rearranged Six Nations game in October last year.
He went on to feature in the Autumn Nations Cup against Ireland and England but on his return to Cardiff action, Lewis- Hughes suffered a nastyinjury against Munster in March which required surgery. He has been on the sidelines since, but is now back fit.
“I’ve got to prove myself again,” Lewis-Hughes told TRP. “We’ve got so many good back rowers and youngsters coming through – it’s the position everyone wants to play in Wales now. If international honours happen, they happen but my first aim is to get back into the Cardiff team.
“It’s been a very frustrating time missing all the rugby I have in the last five or six months.
“I’ve been back into it for the last two or three weeks been brilliant. I’m slowly feeling like a rugby player again.
“My main focus now is to have a good pre-season, keep working on my strengths, and improve and if I do get an opportunity to play for Cardiff, I need to take it.”
Lewis-Hughes is set to feature in Cardiff ‘s preseason games with Bath and Harlequins and be ready for the start of the inaugural United Rugby Championship campaign.
“I’ve worked a lot on leg power, strength and speed,” said Lewis- Hughes, whose three caps for Wales have come in his favoured blindside position.
“Those were things I needed to work on to help with my ball carrying and attacking game.
“In pre-season I’ve already seen the benefits of that. I feel more agile and a lot faster than I ever did before even though I’ve actually put on four kilos.
“I’m 115 kilos (18st 1lb) at the moment which is probably a bit heavy for me, but I’m finding it OK. It’s important to find the right balance between being strong in the carry and being fit enough to maintain it for 80 minutes.”
Lewis-Hughes will be like a new signing for Cardiff boss Dai Young, who might be forced to occasionally deploy him at lock following Cory Hill’s departure from the region.
ALEX BYWATER
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