Former Wales tight-head icon, Adam Jones, has recently taken on the role of mentoring Dillon Lewis with the aim of enhancing his performance to attract the attention of national team coach Warren Gatland. Lewis, who departed from Cardiff to join Harlequins, was noticeably absent from Wales’ Six Nations squad this year, prompting Jones to intervene and focus on refining certain aspects of Lewis’ game in order to increase his chances of being selected.
According to Jones, Lewis has been delivering strong performances for Harlequins, despite limited playing time due to the dominance of Premiership scrummager, Will Collier. Despite feeling disappointed about being excluded from the national squad, Lewis has displayed promise, particularly in a match against Racing 92, where he demonstrated excellence both in the scrum and in field play. Jones stressed that Lewis has potential for further growth and development, and expressed confidence that with certain adjustments, Lewis can become a pivotal player whom Gatland and the Wales coaching staff will be keen to include in future selections.
Lewis, who has earned 54 caps for Wales since his debut in 2017, participated in three matches during the World Cup in France. However, his omission from the Six Nations squad generated interest, especially with Gatland referring to it as a “selection issue”. The national coach voiced his intention to nurture young players and prioritize athleticism in the tight five, which influenced his decision to introduce new faces to the squad.
Despite this setback, Lewis is determined to refine his skills to substantiate his value for the national team. Jones, in collaboration with Lewis, is concentrating on preparing the prop for a potential summer tour, with the objective of addressing and refining the areas requiring improvement. The aim is for Lewis to establish consistency in his performances and assert his status as a competitive player both in the Premiership and at the international level.
With his experience and potential, Lewis remains positive about his future prospects. With Jones’ guidance and mentorship, coupled with Lewis’ unwavering dedication and talent, the groundwork could be laid for an impressive resurgence, as they strive towards securing Lewis a place in Wales’ future line-ups.