Aviva Premiership
Lewsey returns to Wasps
ESPNscrum Staff
March 24, 2011
An emotional Josh Lewsey waves to the crowd after making his final appearance for Wasps before retiring, Wasps v Gloucester, Guinness Premiership, Adams Park, England, April 25, 2009
Josh Lewsey initially retired in 2009 © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Josh Lewsey
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Teams: England | Wasps

Josh Lewsey has come out of retirement to join Wasps on a deal until the end of the season.

The former England utility back, who retired in 2009 in order to climb Mount Everest, previously spent over 10 years in black and gold, winning four Premiership titles and two Heineken Cups.

At international level he played 55 times for England, winning the Rugby World Cup in 2003, and won three caps for the British & Irish Lions.

Wasps' interim director of rugby Leon Holden and head coach Shaun Edwards contacted Lewsey, now 34, following a serious injury to winger Tom Varndell and a number of smaller knocks to their back-three options.

"Josh has been playing some charity games lately and he's kept himself in remarkably good shape in the two years since he retired," Holden said.

"We have had a few knocks to players in our back-three in recent weeks - and with Tom Varndell out for a longer spell, we really do need some cover and we don't think we could have done any better than bringing someone like Josh back to the club."

Lewsey is hoping to have a positive impact, either on the field or off it. "This isn't a long term thing but after playing in a couple of recent charity games, Leon and Shaun [Edwards] contacted me to see if I could assist the club for the remainder of the season," he said. "If they think I could positively contribute to my old club in any way- be it on the field or around the dressing room on match days, then I'd be happy to do so."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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