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Former England utility back Josh Lewsey has decided to retire from rugby at the end of the season but still wants to be part of this year's British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa.

With Wasps, Lewsey has achieved more than most on the domestic stage collecting four Premiership titles, two domestic cups, a European Challenge Cup and two European Cups.

The 32-year-old has played 259 times for his club scoring 385 points to date, and will be eager to ensure his side go out on a high following an illustrious 10 year career at Wasps.

Lewsey has already set his next target, an assault on Mount Everest.

Lewsey also told the Sunday Times he would join accountancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers as a management consultant after the arduous climb was completed.

"I am 32 and I suppose I could have gone on for a few more years," Lewsey said.

"But Vanessa (his wife) is finishing her doctorate, you have to think about real life and responsibility, the possibility of a family."

Lewsey, who played at fullback for England in the 2003 World Cup-winning team and won 55 caps in a 10-year career, added that he wanted to be involved in the May 30-July 4 Lions Tour.

"I have never taken part in a winning Lions test series. I would dearly love to go," he said.

Lewsey also hinted that he may want a future in coaching.

"One day, I may be back," he said. "I can count the number of great coaches I worked with on the fingers of one hand."

He told the newspaper he would begin training for scaling Everest at the end of the summer with Keith Reesby, an army major who will accompany him up the mountain.

"Rugby has been my home, I have played it since I was four but it is time for the next step and the next challenge," he said.

"In life, that is where the excitement comes from. Everest is seen as the ultimate challenge. It has been a goal of mine since I was young."

Lewsey and Reesby have permits to climb Everest in around July 2010.

Sporting Life / Eurosport