Rugby World hotshots

June's edition of Rugby World profiles James and Robert Lewis - identical twin hotshots.

June's edition of Rugby World profiles James and Robert Lewis - identical twin hotshots who both play for Wales Sevens. James Lewis Sevens rugby is widely acknowledged as a great training ground for fleet-footed young talent and Wales are using it to enhance the skills of James Lewis. Having played the IRB tournaments in Hong Kong and Adelaide last season, the centre/wing has been a regular on the circuit this year, as well as featuring in the Ebbw Vale first XV and Dragons academy. The son of ex-Bath and Vale star Steve Lewis, James's rugby talent emerged at Hereford Cathedral School and Abergavenny juniors, and he has been on the Wales radar since playing for the national U16s. He climbed through the ranks of Wales U18s, U19s and U20s, sometimes in the same teams as twin brother Robert, and was picked up by the Dragons academy three years ago. "He has got a good left foot and is developing well, but he has to decide whether he's an outside-centre or a wing," says Dragons boss Paul Turner. "He's a good footballer and his attitude is where he gets nine or ten out of ten. He's on the pathway, but players like him need to go through a level between Premiership and regional rugby, and hopefully the A-team structure coming in next season will help with that." Lewis, 20, is a pacey, attacking threequarter. "I used to do athletics at school to help my rugby. I ran a personal best of 22.6 seconds in the 200 metres," he says. A part-time sports coaching and development student in Newport, he says his dad has been the biggest influence on his career, followed by Dragons academy coach Wayne Jones. Robert beat James to his full Dragons debut last autumn, but James was first into the Wales Sevens squad. He says: "We don't look at each other as brothers, we're more friends. We get on very well." VERDICT James looks set to fire for both the Dragons and Wales. Robert Lewis Scrum-half Robert Lewis is back on an upward track after losing his way a little last season. The identical twin brother of James, Robert left the Dragons for Neath and the Ospreys in 2006, but returned last summer after a disappointing year and has been making a great impression with Ebbw Vale and in the Dragons academy. He came off the bench against Munster for his Magners League debut and was picked alongside James to play sevens for Wales in Wellington, San Diego, Hong Kong and Adelaide. Dragons coach Paul Turner has been impressed. "I followed the sevens and he acquitted himself well on that steep learning curve. He's a good footballer and has an excellent attitude. I hope to see him playing regular regional rugby in two years." Lewis's dad is a former WRU chief executive. "We've always been a big rugby family, so if you don't play you're not exactly disowned," Robert laughs. "Dad's always been there, shouting from the touchline. He criticises me, but backs it up with praise." The 20-year-old preferred football to rugby as a boy, but had to change at the rugby-playing Hereford Cathedral School. He says: "I liked it straightaway. The feeling of scoring a try is special." Dad Steve persuaded Robert to switch from full-back to scrum-half in his teens and his talents were recognised by Wales. He won the Grand Slam with the U19s in 2006 but his career stalled last season. "This has been a rebuilding season for me. I had to get my face recognised again," says the accountancy student. "In the next year I want to put in good performances with Ebbw Vale and hopefully get more game time for the Dragons and Wales Sevens." VERDICT Back in business after a blip, Robert could go a long way.