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'I'm sad to leave the game... but excited for what the future holds'

Harlequins' Dave Lewis, in action in March versus Gloucester, has decided to retire (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images for Harlequins)

Harlequins have announced that scrum-half Dave Lewis will retire from professional rugby. Lewis joined Harlequins ahead of the 2017/18 season from Exeter after helping them secure both Premiership and Anglo-Welsh titles the previous season.

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He went on to make his debut in the quartered shirt against Northampton in September 2017 and made 28 appearances in total for the club. He scored his first try for Quins in the win against Scarlets at The Stoop the following January in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.

Born in Manchester, Lewis originally progressed through the Exeter academy system and went on to join Gloucester in 2007. During his six years there, he made 88 appearances before returning to Exeter in 2013. In January 2014, he represented England Saxons against the Irish Wolfhounds at Kingsholm.

After leaving Harlequins, Lewis will begin his new career as a financial advisor with London-based firm Castell Wealth Management.

Lewis said: “I’m grateful to all the coaches, conditioners, physios and club staff who have helped me play the sport I love for so long.

“I would also like to thank my family, especially my partner Rach and daughter Olivia and my parents for their continued and unwavering support in helping me live my dream of being a professional rugby player.

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“Though ultimately I’m sad to leave the game, I’m really looking forward to starting my new role. It’s something I’ve been working towards for a while and I’m excited for what the future holds.”

Harlequins boss Paul Gustard added: “Dave is an incredible professional who always gives his best. He is a keen thinker of the game and has added significant value on and off the pitch. I know that whatever he chooses to do in life he will be a success as he works hard, is humble and is an all-round great guy.

“I’d like to thank Dave for his service on behalf of the club over the past two seasons and wish him and his family all the best for the next chapter in their story.”

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit
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