Meet Tomi Lewis, the Welsh rugby speedster returning to Wales who Shane Williams is really excited about

Rewind the clock back to September 2src2src and Tomi Lewis was preparing for his first full season of professional rugby with the Scarlets.

The electric back-three player from Gwernyfed near Brecon had just graduated from a Wales U2srcs side which boasted future internationals in Jac Morgan, Tommy Reffell, and Sam Costelow.

Lewis himself was being tipped by many to reach the heights, and according to those who were there, was really looking the part in pre-season.

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There was an expectation on him to make his mark on professional rugby that season, but fate took a cruel twist.

“I was running during pre-season training with the Scarlets, slammed on the breaks which led to me hyperextending my knee, and I ended up damaging my ACL,” Lewis tells WalesOnline.

“It was a very painful and nasty injury. It was 5src/5src whether I was even going to play again but the rehab was brilliant, and the support the Scarlets gave me was fantastic.

“I didn’t come back until January of the 21/22 season with eight games left so I didn’t get much game time.

“Along with doing my ACL I had a hamstring graft because I did a grade three tear there. I pretty much blew my whole knee out. It was gutting when it happened.

“Normally it takes between nine to 12 months to recover from an ACL injury but this one took 15 months. I went to top surgeon Andy Williams in London to correct it, and luckily it worked.”

It was a cruel blow for the 24-year-old, who has also impressed for Wales on the sevens circuit, and resulted in him getting released by the Scarlets.

But instead of sulking Lewis decided to get his head down and work hard to climb his way back up the professional rugby ladder.

Luckily, he was picked up by English Championship outfit Jersey Reds which proved to be the best move of his career to date.

Lewis was a revelation at his new club, running in 12 tries to fire Jersey to the title which resulted in the Welshman getting selected in the Championship team of the season.

“It was a big decision to go to Jersey after originally finishing with the Scarlets last year,” he said.

“It was a good opportunity to play, and get some game time under my belt at a relatively high level. I’ve grabbed the opportunities.

“I went over there with a positive attitude. I back myself with my speed, and my footwork.

“Tom Williams (Jersey attack coach) gave me the licence to come off my wing and go look