England World Cup winner Josh Lewsey has announced his retirement from international rugby with immediate effect. Lewsey has called time on an international career that took in 55 England caps to focus solely on his club rugby with London Wasps.

Lewsey made his Test debut on the infamous 'Tour from Hell' in 1998 and cemented his place in the England team at full-back in the 2003 Six Nations before winning the World Cup later that year. The last of his 55 England caps came with a try-scoring appearance against France in last year's World Cup semi-final, although he missed out on his second World Cup final with a hamstring injury.

"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," Lewsey said. "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."

Lewsey also highlighted the honour of winning World Cup, and told of how much it meant to him as a player. "If you can make a whole nation proud of what a team can achieve on the field, that is the most special feeling any individual could have," he told Sky Sports News. "To have been a part of that was the most special moment. What we achieved that night and what it gave to the country was the greatest prize of all."

Lewsey's commitment to Wasps will be a huge boost the side that is currently struggling in the Premiership, and Lewsey is sure that he can be of invaluable use when their international stars are called up for duty. Wasps are set to lose 10 players to the Six nations championship in February, a telling factor in Lewsey's decision.

"It is my belief that last year's Premiership title was not won during the play off period at the end of the season, but during the Six 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," he said. "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.

While Lewsey has called time on his England career, he still has high hopes of being a part of the 2009 British and Irish Lions side that will tour South Africa. "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. "

London Wasps Director of Rugby Ian McGeechan showed his support for Lewsey's decision. "Josh has been an outstanding player for England and is probably one of the most successful backs in English rugby for his achievements both with his club and country. A World Cup winner, his achievements on the international stage have provided him with an illustrious career and a wealth of experience which brings a great deal to the club.

"He is one of the players who helps to deliver the kind of rugby we want to play, setting the right example, and his permanent presence will be of great benefit to the squad."

England Team Manager Martin Johnson, a team-mate of Lewsey during England's run to the World Cup, understood Lewsey's difficult decision.

"Josh has spoken to me about his decision and while I'm disappointed I fully understand the reasons behind his decision to retire from international rugby and on behalf of the England squad I'd like to wish him every success with his continuing career with London Wasps," he said. "I know from first hand experience what an asset Josh was to England over an international career that spanned ten years, over 50 caps and two RWC's including the RWC 2003 final and it was a pleasure to play alongside him. "

Josh Lewsey fact-file

1976: Born Owen Joshua Lewsey on November 30 in Bromley, Kent.

1995: Joins Wasps after playing junior rugby for Amersham and Chiltern Rugby Football Club. Plays for Wasps' Colts side and captains the under-21s. Plays for Bristol while attending Bristol University.

1998: Rejoins Wasps. Wins first England cap against Australia on 'Tour of Hell'.

1999: Wasps win Tetley's Bitter Cup.

2000: Wasps retain Tetley's Bitter Cup.

2001: Appears in all three Tests for England on their North American tour. Graduates from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and serves as an officer in the British Army with the Royal Artillery for two years before opting to play professional rugby.

2002: Part of the England side that win the Hong Kong Sevens and also represents England in sevens at the Commonwealth Games.

2003: Makes his home England debut in the Six Nations following an injury to Jason Robinson. Scores two tries in the 40-5 win over Italy and grabs another try against Scotland as England win the grand slam.

May - Wins his first Zurich Premiership title with Wasps, who also triumph in the Parker Pen Shield.

June - Establishes himself as England's first-choice full-back and plays a key role in Tests against Australia and New Zealand.

October/November - An integral part of the England side that beat Australia to win the Rugby World Cup. Lewsey plays in five matches during the tournament, scoring five tries in the 111-13 defeat of Uruguay, equalling the record for the most tries in a Test match held jointly by Rory Underwood against Fiji in 1989 and Daniel Lambert against France in 1907. Awarded MBE.

2004: Plays on the right wing against Italy and Scotland in the Six Nations and scores a try in both games, being named man of the match at Murrayfield.

May - Ends a stellar season by helping Wasps clinch the Zurich Premiership and Heineken Cup double.

2005: Helps Wasps successfully defend their Premiership title. Selected for the British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand and features prominently as England suffer a 3-0 series defeat. Undergoes shoulder surgery on his return that delays the start of his season until October.

2006: Injures his shoulder in England's first match of the Six Nations against Wales but returns for the third game against Scotland. Wasps win the Anglo Welsh Powergen Cup. Takes the summer off from international rugby to go climbing in the Himalayas, reaching the base camp of K2.

August - Scores 11 tries at the Middlesex Sevens to became the tournament's top try and points scorer, helping Wasps win their first Middlesex title since 1993.

2007: Part of Six Nations side again and wins a second Heineken Cup with Wasps as they defeat Leicester Tigers at Twickenham in the final.

September/October - Included in the England squad for the World Cup in France. Scores the only try in the 14-9 semi-final victory over France but picks up a hamstring injury that rules him out of the final, which England lose to South Africa.

2008: Omitted from the Six Nations squad but, after Martin Johnson takes over from Brian Ashton as national team boss, included in the England squad for 2008-09.

November - Does not feature in any of the autumn internationals.

December 10 - Announces England retirement after 55 caps