"When you look at the likes of Phil Vickery, Martin Corry, Lawrence Dallaglio, Jonny Wilkinson, Mike Tindall and Jason Robinson, you start getting a core of leaders and you think, 'We've got something here', " he said.

BBC: SPORT | Rugby Union | English | England 'must start playing well'

Lewsey is the ninth member of England's 2003 World Cup-winning team to retire from national duty, although only Phil Vickery remains actively involved with Jonny Wilkinson injured and Mike Tindall, Ben Cohen, Steve Thompson and Ben Kay out of favour.

BBC: Lewsey retires from England duty

The others are captain Phil Vickery, Mike Catt, Jason Robinson, Josh Lewsey, Jonny Wilkinson, Andy Gomarsall, Mark Regan, Martin Corry, Ben Kay, Lewis Moody and Joe Worsley, while Simon Shaw was a replacement but did not play.

BBC: Tindall & Hodgson miss World Cup