April 5, 200916 yr Author Guinness Prem London Wasps 12 - 6 Newcastle Top 14 Aviron Bayonnais 15 - 19 Biarritz Olympique
April 5, 200916 yr Author Lewsey to retire at end of season Former England utility back Josh Lewsey has decided to retire from rugby at the end of the season but still wants to be part of this year's British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa. With Wasps, Lewsey has achieved more than most on the domestic stage collecting four Premiership titles, two domestic cups, a European Challenge Cup and two European Cups. The 32-year-old has played 259 times for his club scoring 385 points to date, and will be eager to ensure his side go out on a high following an illustrious 10 year career at Wasps. Lewsey has already set his next target, an assault on Mount Everest. Lewsey also told the Sunday Times he would join accountancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers as a management consultant after the arduous climb was completed. "I am 32 and I suppose I could have gone on for a few more years," Lewsey said. "But Vanessa (his wife) is finishing her doctorate, you have to think about real life and responsibility, the possibility of a family." Lewsey, who played at fullback for England in the 2003 World Cup-winning team and won 55 caps in a 10-year career, added that he wanted to be involved in the May 30-July 4 Lions Tour. "I have never taken part in a winning Lions test series. I would dearly love to go," he said. Lewsey also hinted that he may want a future in coaching. "One day, I may be back," he said. "I can count the number of great coaches I worked with on the fingers of one hand." He told the newspaper he would begin training for scaling Everest at the end of the summer with Keith Reesby, an army major who will accompany him up the mountain. "Rugby has been my home, I have played it since I was four but it is time for the next step and the next challenge," he said. "In life, that is where the excitement comes from. Everest is seen as the ultimate challenge. It has been a goal of mine since I was young." Lewsey and Reesby have permits to climb Everest in around July 2010. The life and times of Josh Lewsey THE CAREER Educated Watford GS and Bristol University Playing career Bristol, then Wasps; Premiership titles 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008; domestic cups 1999, 2000; Anglo-Welsh Cup 2006; European Challenge Cup 2003; European Cup 2004, 2007; England, 55 caps, 22 tries, World Cup winner 2003, Grand Slam 2003; Lions tour to New Zealand 2005, three caps OTHER INTERESTS Degrees in physiology (Bristol University) and law (College of Law, London); commissioned offer to join 7Para RHA, part of the 16th Air Assault Brigade; Ambassador for Access Sport charity; NSPCC; Sparks; Benevolent Fund Ambassador for Prince’s Trust; initiated rugby academy with East London Business Alliance; surfing; cattle ranching in Arizona; rafting in Colorado; trekked through Baltoro Glacier to base camp of K2; supporter of fox hunting with hounds; member of British Deer Society, Countryside Alliance, Rare Breeds Survival Trust, Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust; qualification in deer management; coaches youth teams and Richmond Ladies; author of One Chance: My Life and Rugby Favourite teammates 1 Fraser Waters (Wasps) 2 Andy Gomarsall (England) Hardest opponents 1 Lote Tuqiri (Australia) 2 Serge Betsen (France) LEWSEY’S BEST XV Played with and against 15 Me! (Eng) Behind this lot even I would look half-decent; 14 Gerald Davies (Wal), 13 Jeremy Guscott (Eng), 12 Tim Horan (Aus), 11 Rory Underwood (Eng); 10 Jonathan Davies (Wal), 9 Rob Howley (Wal) or George Gregan (Aus); 1 Christian Califano (Fra), 2 Sean Fitzpatrick (NZ), 3 Graham Price (Wal), 4 Martin Johnson (Eng), 5 John Eales (Aus), 6 Mike Teague (Eng), 8 Dean Richards (Eng), 7 Richie McCaw (NZ) good luck for the future, really good player
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