Dean Ryan has praised the impact of Josh Lewis in the No.15 jersey this season - and believes the versatile back is now giving Dragons a ‘different option’.
Lewis has started the last two Guinness PRO14 games at full back and impressed again in the 26-19 win over Benetton Rugby in Italy last weekend.
And with the returning Jordan Williams being slowly integrated back into action, Director of Dragons Rugby Ryan has been pleased with the form of Lewis.
“Josh gives us a different option,” said Ryan. “He certainly expands our kicking game and he’s a real dangerous threat when he is in counter-attack mode.
“He has just got to keep working hard at the positional requirements of changing position.
“Josh is a real option for us, especially around expanding our kicking game. Having an expanding kicking game adds to our strengths.”
Reflecting on the return to action of Williams after a long injury layoff, Ryan believes patience and not rushing him back is crucial.
“We can’t expect Jordan to come back and hit the ground running, he’s back before time and we got to get that right,” he said.
“The danger is he is a hugely influential player for us and the desire to see him back can override the decision making what’s right for him.
“We just have to get that balance right and not expect it to be smooth running all the time.”
He certainly expands our kicking game and he’s a real dangerous threat when he is in counter-attack mode...
