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World Cup winner Josh Lewsey has come out of retirement to rejoin London Wasps until the end of the season.

The 34-year-old, who quit rugby at the end of the 2008-09 campaign, made 262 appearances during his 11-year spell at the club.

He lifted the World Cup with England in 2003 and helped Wasps to four Premiership titles, two Heineken Cups and a European Challenge Cup success.

"This isn't a long term thing," said the 55-time capped utility back.

"But after playing in a couple of recent charity games, Leon [Holden, interim director of rugby] and Shaun [Edwards, head coach] contacted me to see if I could assist the club for the remainder of the season.

"If they think I could positively contribute to my old club in any way - be it on the field or around the dressing room on match days, then I'd be happy to do so."

Holden added: "This is a fantastic short-term signing for us and I have no doubt Josh will make a huge contribution to the squad in what is left of the season.

"Josh has been playing some charity games lately and he's kept himself in remarkably good shape in the two years since he retired.

"We have had a few knocks to players in our back three in recent weeks - and with Tom Varndell out for a longer spell, we really do need some cover and we don't think we could have done any better than bringing someone like Josh back to the club."

Lewsey joined Wasps from Bristol in 1998, going on to score 78 tries for his club and 22 for England.

He retired from international rugby in December 2008 before leaving the game completely six months later.