Lewsey legacy still putting kids in touch with rugby

Lewsy, 32, was at the school to put a group of youngsters through their paces in a touch rugby session.

The Academy, a collaboration between Nomura, the East London Business Alliance and Millwall Rugby club, was set up in 2006 to encourage children in east London to take up the sport. Lewsey has been encouraged by the progress in that time.

He said: "It's going very well. We're going to five new schools this year and branched out to a bigger age group. We've got the captain of the under-14s at Millwall playing. He's an absolute superstar and playing really well.

"Lots of guys now are participating in the local rugby club, so there's a legacy in terms of continued participation in the sport.

"We initiate it, aiding people to get out of the borough to the actual sports fields. That's one of the challenges because there aren't a lot of sports fields in the area, so it's a huge success when someone goes there under their own steam at weekends."

Monday was the first time Lewsey, who helped England win the World Cup in 2003, has picked up a ball since retiring at the end of last season.

He said: "It was. It's good to be back but no comebacks, though. I've had my time. A run-around with a few school age kids I can just about hold my own."

The former London Wasps man was not taking questions about England, having ruffled too many feathers last week when he questioned the role of some of Martin Johnson's coaching staff.

But as far as the Guinness Premiership is concerned he's confident his old team will be pushing for the title they last won in 2008.

He said: "They've had a good start. I went to see them against Leeds at home, then thought it best if I stayed away as it was the only game they had lost. We all know trophies aren't given out until the end of the season and I'm sure they'll do very well.

"London Irish and Saracens are huge forces now. London Irish have been bubbling away for a couple of years and I think they'll really fancy their chances in pole position at the moment to push on.

"Brendan Venter has had a great impact at Sarries and they've got a great team spirit now, but there's so much competition it's really open for all the top teams."

Lewsey is scaling new peaks as a consultant with PWC in the City and has also got his sights set on an even bigger challenge next year, climbing Mount Everest.

But it's the future of the game that Lewsey is focusing on at present, with some of the Academy youngsters having the chance to play at Twickenham before the Nomura Varsity match on December 10.

Lewsey hopes it will inspire the kids to keep on playing.

He said: "Absolutley. You've just got to look at the little cheeky faces here to see they absolutely loved it and that's what it's all about."

For more information on Millwall Rugby Club visit millwallrugby.com. For more information on ELBA visit elba-1.org.uk.