Sam Lewis: Jonathan Thomas helped with decision to join Worcester Warriors

Worcester’s Thomas, a former Ospreys player, had a big impact on Lewis when the 24-year-old was learning his trade at the Liberty Stadium.

Swansea-born Lewis arrived at Sixways on Monday after making 65 appearances for the Welsh region.

“Joe Rees was at the Ospreys with me and Jonathan was a big influence for me when I was at the Ospreys,” said Lewis.

“He really helped the young players coming through at Ospreys and helped the development of my game.

“I looked up to him as a leading rugby player and he was brilliant with me.

“I spoke to Jonathan about this club too and he had nothing but good things to say.

“It did help my decision to come to Worcester and I am really enjoying myself at the club.”

Lewis also knows former Wales hooker Mefin Davies, who coaches at Warriors.

“I played with Mef at the Ospreys in my first season, which was his last at the club,” recalled Lewis.

“He was a brilliant player, is a brilliant coach and he’s been awesome with me.”

Lewis signed his first professional contract for Ospreys in 2012 after impressing during a stint at Welsh Premiership side Swansea.

But he decided to switch to Warriors after becoming frustrated at the lack of first-team opportunities at Ospreys.

Lewis continued: “Worcester are a great club. Their vision is getting back in the Premiership and they have got a great bunch of players. It had its ups and downs at Ospreys. I didn’t play as much as I would have liked and that’s why I have come here. Hopefully, I can impress and develop my game.

“It was a pretty tough decision. Ospreys is my home region and I loved playing for them but I thought, to develop my career and game, this was the right place for me to come.”

Lewis added: “This is a good challenge. The back row have been going really well all season so I have got to learn a lot from them.

“I am looking forward to the next six games and the play-offs. I just want to get stuck into things now.”