EXPERIENCED back-row forward Jonathan Thomas has labelled Sam Lewis “a little pitbull” and believes the flanker will make an impact at Sixways next season.

Lewis joined Warriors earlier this year and played three times in the regular Championship campaign, scoring a try against Yorkshire Carnegie.

Thomas and Lewis were previously team-mates at Welsh region Ospreys where the 24-year-old made 65 appearances.

“Sam has got huge potential,” said former Wales international Thomas.

“In Wales, the game is slightly different to the English game because Welsh teams usually pick a traditional scavenger-type player at seven.

“In England, you tend to pick a bigger seven. When I came to England, most of the Premiership teams, apart from Matt Kvesic at Gloucester, picked a big seven.

“Sam is quite small and goes under the radar a little bit because he’s not a huge man.

“But, what Sam might lack in size and height, he makes up for it because he’s like a little pitbull on the field.

“He’s a really good low tackler, punches above his weight, is good over the ball and will offer you a lot and he’s still only 24 years old.”

Lewis signed his first professional contract for Ospreys in 2012 after impressing during a stint at Welsh Premiership side Swansea.

But he switched to Warriors after becoming frustrated at the lack of first-team opportunities at Ospreys.

Lewis also played at the Liberty Stadium with prop Joe Rees and admitted Thomas had been a big influence for him when he was at Ospreys.

“I was really chuffed when I found out we were signing Sam because he’s also a good lad away from the game,”said Thomas.

“He rolls his sleeves up and gets on with it. He’s a really good character and a really good signing.

“With rugby, there’s lot to learn when you come to a new club.

“Not only have you got the line-out calls but the plays in defence and attack and all the different systems to get to grips with.”

Thomas added: “If you’re a winger, it’s sometimes easier to slot in. But Sam is in a position which is almost the heart-beat of the team and he will get better with the more games he plays for us.”