Lewsey spreads rugby message

The 31-year-old was delighted to be helping fire the enthusiasm of children in partnership with Millwall Rugby Club and the East London Business Alliance (Elba) for the second year in a row.

He said: "It's quite nice and refreshing and enthusing to see the smiles on the faces. It's ultimately what grass roots rugby is all about. It's more focused this year on developing a legacy and to that end we've made connections with Millwall Rugby Club.

"I personally have been delighted by the uptake that kids have shown and the enthusiasm to take it on, not just in the schools but trying to introduce some sport in terms of extra-curricular activities, with all the benefits that provides."

The Academy's funding was in doubt after the collapse of main sponsor Lehman Brothers last month. But Nomura, who took over parts of Lehman's business last month, stepped in to guarantee the cash, along with Sport England.

It means the children still have the chance to play on the hallowed turf of Twickenham before December's Varsity match between Oxford and Cambridge.

Lewsey said: "Just seeing it last year was genuinely quite moving, seeing the look on some of the kids' faces when they ran out at Twickenham. It was the culmination of a lot of hard work behind the scenes by the coaches."

It's been a difficult start to the season for Lewsey both on and off the field. He had a well-publicised training-ground spat with Wasps' clubmate Danny Cipriani, while he and his team-mates have struggled to reproduce the form that saw them claim the Premiership crown last season. But he insisted morale in the club was good.

He said: "We're always slow starters, so our challenge is to try and replicate what we've done in previous years, to turn it around.

"The margin in some of the games has been very small but the game of rugby is about hard graft, skill and a little bit of luck sometimes. Winning's a habit. Our club's been used to winning and our challenge is to turn the tide and that will happen."

Lewsey should be involved in England's autumn internationals, starting with the game against the Pacific Islands on November 8. But he's not taking anything for granted under new England manager Martin Johnson.

"We'll see whether I'm involved first," he said. "Obviously I'd very much like to be but first and foremost I'd like to get some wins under my belt with Wasps."There's not many people saying anything detrimental about Martin Johnson, he's a great guy. The challenge is, though, ultimately you need to deliver on the field as well.

"Everyone's very excited about the new era in English rugby and the challenge is to try and manifest that into results on the field."

And he would be delighted to see some of the children involved in his academy following his path to international glory.

"I hope so," he said. "The scheme and legacy we've started here is fantastic and the challenge is to get as many of these kids to take up rugby as possible."