The released Welsh rugby star who's so 'exceptional' people can't believe he's been let go

The footballer Paolo Di Canio once reported that the man who tended his piranhas told him that if the striker left West Ham he would kill all his fish.

It is uncertain if Sam Lewis ever received such a threat during his seven years at Worcester Warriors rugby club, but there is zero doubt that, like the yesteryear Di Canio at the Hammers, he qualified for the status of fans’ favourite.

When the club announced he was being released last week, there were tributes sprayed across social media, with one poster lauding him as the “best player to have pulled on a Worcester jersey”.

No one rushed to accuse the author of hyperbole.

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Ex-Wales fly-half Paul Turner, now head coach of Ampthill, chipped in: “What a player! Where’s he going?”

And Lewis’ former Ospreys team-mate Lloyd Ashley styled the No. 7 as an “absolute legend”.

But it’s all over for him now at Sixways.

Hard feelings? If he has them, he didn’t make it obvious when he spoke to WalesOnline over the phone this week.

“I’ve had a great time at Worcester but there have been a lot of changes and I just feel maybe it’s the right time to be leaving,” he said.

“We won the Premiership Cup recently and rounded off the season with a big win over Bath. I started off at the club with a lot of boys who have since moved on. I guess nothing lasts forever.

“That said, I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.

“Obviously there have been injuries, but bumps happen in rugby and you just have to hope you are lucky enough not to pick up too many.

“The club have parted company with players from the middle tier — not superstars and not youngsters, but the guys who fall somewhere in between. Other clubs have gone down a similar road.

“Ther