International Rugby
Referee Lewis to retire
ESPNscrum Staff
April 15, 2011
Referee Alan Lewis shows South Africa's Bakkies Botha a yellow card, New Zealand v South Africa, Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand, July 10, 2010
Alan Lewis shows Bakkies Botha a yellow card during South Africa's clash with New Zealand in Auckland last year © Getty Images
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Alan Lewis has announced that he will retire from refereeing at the end of the season. The Irishman took charge of 45 Test matches, across both hemispheres, and a record 83 Heineken Cup games, including the 2007 final between Wasps and Leicester.

"Now just feels the right time to finish up," Lewis said. "It's a natural progression and one I have been discussing with my family and Owen Doyle in the IRFU over the past few months. I feel very privileged and honoured to have been involved at this level for so long. I have enjoyed every minute hugely."

Lewis, one of the most respected officials in the game, had hoped to bring the curtain down on his career at this year's World Cup but he missed out on selection.

"Of course there's a twinge of disappointment; I wouldn't be human if there wasn't," he said. "The main thing now is to wish all match officials great enjoyment and success in New Zealand."

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