Cardiff Blues and Wales tighthead prop Lewis didn’t feature as Wayne Pivac’s side claimed the 2021 Guinness Six Nations and was released from the squad early on with a neck injury.
He thought he would miss the rest of the season with the problem, but has made a Lazarus-style recovery to return to fitness.
“I am back to full strength now and I am just glad to be back fit and playing,” said Lewis, who was a regular with Wales in their Grand Slam and fourth-placed World Cup finish in 2019.
“The injury was meant to be a lot longer than what it turned out to be.
“It was a disc sitting on a nerve, so it took the strength away from my left pec, my left tricep and they forecast that being three months.
“It turned out to be three weeks instead so I made a miraculous recovery basically. It was just one of those freak things that I don’t think anyone has got the answer to.
“I couldn’t tell you. It was just something where one week I couldn’t bench press 10kgs and two weeks later I was bench pressing 40kgs. It just sort of turned around really rapidly.
“It was a massive relief. I left Wales thinking that was the end of my season so I was over the moon.”
Dillon Lewis in action for Cardiff Blues against Benetton
It was a massive relief. I left Wales thinking that was the end of my season so I was over the moon
Lewis is in contention to face London Irish on Friday with Cardiff who have finished the Guinness PRO14 season on a high.
Lewis admits he was disappointed to fall down the ranks with Wales, but is targeting a return to the international fold this summer so long as he plays well for his region.
“It was frustrating – you don’t want to go in and be third choice, but that’s professional sport. There are a lot of ups and downs and a lot to learn from it,” he said.
“I had a few tough conversations and know what my work-ons are to improve and put my foot in the door again.
“I can’t go into too much detail, but the most important thing is playing week-in, week out.
“It’s been quite a difficult year with Covid-19 and a few other reasons. I’ve just got to concentrate on trying to play the best I can.
“You can only go off what they are saying so if they want to see more from me, I am going to have to go away and try and give them more. That’s all I can do.
“I have had a fair bit of experience and exposure at international rugby and I would love to get back there and be a regular back in that matchday squad.
“That’s what I am striving towards, but it all starts here at the Blues. It’s about establishing myself as first choice here and starting week-in, week-out. That’s my goal.
“All I can concentrate on is playing well for Cardiff Blues. Form is one thing that is going to get me knocking back on the door with Wales.
“If I can play well here, hopefully I will put my hand up to get named for the summer Tests.”
