London Wasps have confirmed that World Cup winner and British Lion Josh Lewsey has agreed terms to extend his contract with Wasps by a further one year, to the end of the 2008/09 season.
Lewsey, who is marking his tenth season of professional service at Wasps with a testimonial year in 2007/08, has made 220 appearances since his London Wasps debut against Bath in September, 1998. However, he first joined Wasps aged eighteen, moving through the youth ranks to become U21 captain before his studies at Bristol University precipitated a move to Bristol Rugby, where he played two full seasons before signing his first professional contract with Wasps in the summer of 1998.
The versatile Lewsey, who has played for Wasps at centre, wing and full back, has scored 71 tries in his ten seasons at the club and appeared in ten major club finals, winning every one. He won the first of his 55 England caps in 1998, while still only 21, and went on to help England lift the World Cup in 2003 and win three British Lions caps on the tour to New Zealand in 2005.
On confirming his decision, Lewsey said: "Wasps continues to be a dynamic club - ambitious to achieve things and win trophies, and as a playing squad we have the opportunity to work with some of the best coaches in the game.
"I think the club has made some major developments in the last year, both on and off the field, and I'm very pleased to be staying at Wasps for a further season."
Director of Rugby, Ian McGeechan welcomed the news, saying: "I'm delighted that Josh has agreed to extend his contract with Wasps. He has been in outstanding form for us since returning from the World Cup, and to have a player of his calibre, experience and enthusiasm in the Wasps squad is a huge positive.
"Josh is a good role model for any rugby player, and as well as being a key figure in maintaining our continuity going forward, he will have an important role to play in developing our younger players to their full potential."
Josh Lewsey Profile:
Full Name: Owen Joshua Lewsey MBE
Date Of Birth: 30/11/1976 (31)
Height: 180cm / 5'11"
Weight: 87kg / 192lbs / 13st 10lbs
Clubs: Bristol Rugby / London Wasps
Education: Watford Grammar School / Bristol University
Honours: British & Irish Lions / England / England A / England U21