Wasps and England full-back Josh Lewsey exclusively tells skysports.com why he is focusing on enjoying the game.
Wasps ace refuses to let double blow get him down
After the couple of weeks Josh Lewsey has had, you could understand if the Wasps full-back was ready to let off a little bit of steam.
Your chance to win a training day with Josh Lewsey and Maximuscle
Having been dropped from the England squad for the Six Nations, Lewsey then saw his side's European dreams end in the rain and mud of Thomond Park.
However, now 31, Lewsey cuts a relaxed figure as he works as an ambassador for Maximuscle - with his focus now about enjoying the game.
Having arrived on the international scene on the 'Tour of Hell' Down Under in 1998, Lewsey has gone on to pick up 55 caps for England.
Such was Lewsey's form come 2003 that he was considered England's first-choice full-back ahead of Jason Robinson, who was shuffled across to the wing.
That year saw the Kent-born flyer lift the World Cup, adding a winners' medal to an impressive collection of honours.
Lewsey, though, missed out on a second World Cup final appearance last year when he suffered an injury in the semi-final victory over the hosts France.
That was to be Lewsey's last international appearance - with coach Brian Ashton overlooking him in his Six Nations plans.
Perspective
Whether Lewsey will get another chance to pull on the red rose of England remains to be seen - however the Wasps ace remains philosophical about his future.
"I am obviously disappointed but sport is a fickle business," he told
skysports.com.
"I have said it before and it sounds cheesy but there is the poem by Kipling... 'If you can face triumph and disaster and treat those two imposters just the same'. It just puts everything into perspective.
"I have had some enormous highs and a few lows. Now my goal is just to enjoy myself - and I am lucky enough to be enjoying every week. Whether it is with Wasps or with England I want to enjoy it.
"I have been fortunate to win everything there is to win in the game and been capped 55 times. I don't want to set myself any other goals as you just set yourself up for a fall."
Lewsey found out he was not going to make the squad the day before the official announcement when Ashton called with the bad news.
And although there is a host of young pretenders coming through the ranks, Lewsey insists he is not about to quit.
He said: "I hope I am still in the picture [for England] and it will be interesting to see how they get on.
Focus
"Questions have been asked about my future but I have not made any indication about it.
"If England want me to play then I am available but my focus is on enjoying myself - and if that sees me back in the side then so much the better."
With the likes of Danny Cipriani, Ryan Lamb, Anthony Allen, Olly Morgan and Tom Croft all pressing their claims, Lewsey believes the future is bright for England.
However, he believes that England must make the most of what is available to them.
"English rugby is in an excellent state of health," he added. "Just look at the talent that is coming through. The wealth of young players is the envy of any side in the world, but it is a case of pulling it all together for the 22 players on the day.
"England should be there or thereabouts as the No.1 side in the world. We have the most competitive league in the world and the biggest pool of players so questions would have to be asked if we aren't there.
"As a player I would be delighted if we did well at the Six Nations and I am sure we will."
Josh Lewsey is an ambassador for Maximuscle. Visit www.Maximuscle.com to learn more about Josh's unique diet and training regime.
