JOSH Lewsey says his decision to retire from international rugby will allow him to give 100 per cent to Wasps.

Lewsey won 55 caps for England but has not played since scoring the winning try in last year's World Cup semi-final win over France.

The former Amersham and Chiltern RFC player announced his decision at a press conference this morning.

His full statement reads: “It is with a huge fondness for the game that I love, and after consultation with Martin Johnson the England Team Manager, I have decided to retire from representing my country on the rugby field.

“I spoke with Martin on the phone earlier this week and as he didn’t consider me to be an integral part of his immediate team moving forward, I have decided that I would be better served committing myself entirely to my club, London Wasps. “After 55 caps, many training sessions and a vast amount of laughter I’d like to thank all the coaches, medics and especially the players that have made my England career so memorable over the past ten years. Playing, but more importantly winning, for your country is the most special feeling one can achieve.

"My last game for England was the semi-final of the World Cup in Paris last year and, although I would have liked to have contributed since, scoring the game’s only try was in hindsight a fitting moment to last wear a national jersey. “It is my belief that last year’s Guinness Premiership title was not won during the play off period at the end of the season, but during the RBS 6 Nations in which we did not lose a game and thus put ourselves into a position in the league from which we could launch a title bid. As such, with so many of our players already away on international duty, being away with the national squad from Sunday to Wednesday each week has been enormously disruptive on the club’s and my own individual preparation.

"I feel therefore that I can have a more positive influence at Wasps throughout this important time if I am consistently here and have made the decision to focus my efforts solely on the clubs campaigns.

“On a personal note, over the past two seasons, though not being selected internationally, my club coaches have been very happy with my form and attitude.

"It is a very exciting time for Wasps and while many onlookers may have written us off, our challenge is to improve on our poor start to the season, building on recent wins to generate momentum and push to challenge for yet more silverware.

"It is the competitive nature and self belief of the characters at this club that have earned such success and how fitting to touch on this in a week that we say farewell to a great Wasps lady, Eileen Dallaglio, who epitomised this so much.

"Lastly, though having played in 2005, it is still a huge goal of mine to be part of a winning British Lions tour.

"Therefore, my decision is also made in that I believe performing well in a successful club team week in and week out gives me the best chance possible of being selected for next year’s Lions Tour. “