“I wish I could have finished this season stronger, but unfortunately, injury hasn’t allowed it. I’m working hard to get back fit before I leave, but regardless of what happens, I will give my all to the club for the remainder of the season.”
Dragons are languishing at the foot of the United Rugby Championship table, 17 points adrift of Italian side Zebre, having regularly been the worst-performing Welsh region.
But Lewis backed Tiatia’s plans for the Newport-based side.
“We all understand the challenges ahead, but the plans that Filo is putting in place look very promising,” said Lewis.
Lewis is also looking forward to working with former Cardiff front-row colleague Sam Hobbs, who is Dragons forwards coach, while acknowledging his chance at the region has come about after fellow Wales prop Leon Brown was forced to retire because of a neck injury.
“He [Hobbs] played a big role in my development, guiding me from the academy into senior rugby, and was a great mentor to me,” Lewis said.
“I also want to acknowledge that this opportunity probably wouldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t for Leon retiring. He’s a good friend of mine, and it’s unfortunate that his career was cut short due to injury.”
