Josh Lewsey England full-back

England full-back Josh Lewsey has faced a week on the sidelines following his shoulder injury in the 47-13 win over Wales.

But despite not being part of the England camp ahead of this weekend's game against Italy, he has remained in close contact with his international team-mates and answers some of your best e-mails.

Q. I have to honestly say that I can never remember you getting injured before. Is this the first injury setback you've suffered for a while in an international campaign? What is the schedule on the road to recovery?
Blake, Bath

I'm afraid that's not true. I've had so many injuries I don't know where to start. There's been endless ones even this season alone. I guess I've just been lucky with the timing of them - they never seem to come when there's chunks of internationals whether that be the autumn, the World Cup or the Six Nations. But it's not all luck. I do a lot of pre-hab work on specific problem areas to make sure injuries don't arise.

Q. I injured my left shoulder AC joint so I can sympathise - it's painful isn't it? What kind of physio work are you doing?
Sharon Arnold, Cheshire

I'd agree with that first point. I've broken my jaw before and the pain of that doesn't even come close to comparing with what I felt at the weekend. In terms of the recovery process, initially I just rested and had it strapped to stop any movement whatsoever. Then it's a case of step-by-step movements - steady progress to make sure it's right. All being well, I'll be back in time for the Scotland game - that's the plan right now.

Q. You said recently you think you're "getting a bit long in the tooth". When do you see yourself retiring?
Elizabeth, Essex

Well I'm not retiring quite yet but rugby does take its toll and not just in terms of the physicality. It sometimes doesn't marry itself too well with what you want to do in the rest of your life and other things pass by the wayside. My focus at the moment is to get myself to the World Cup in 2007 and after that I'll take stock of the situation.

Q. You said in your last BBC Sport column the performance against Wales was the best since the World Cup. Is this set of players good enough to surpass the form of the All Blacks and lead us to retain the World Cup next year?
Ben Rowley, Berkshire

The potential's definitely there. When we won the World Cup in 2003 it was all about the strength in depth of our squad and having players good enough to step up when needed. We're getting to that now and Robbo (England coach Andy Robinson) and the other coaches have done a top job with that. We laid the platform in the autumn internationals and then last week everything clicked into place. Of course, we can't get complacent yet as we're not the finished article. I have every confidence we can go on to successfully defend our world crown next year in France.

Q. How much of your week is spent training and what do you do the rest of the time?
Bob, Ascot

Apart from rugby there's not a lot of time for anything else. Ok, I don't have to train all the time - that's carefully balanced with Wasps and England. But aside from that, I run my own business, doing a lot of sponsorship stuff and engagements. I spend a fair bit reading and answering all your e-mails and, on the very rare occasion, catch up with mates.

Q. Do you watch any films in your free time? What movie would you rent at the moment from your local video store?
Kirsty Baker, Eastbourne

I do like to go out to the cinema on occasion. As for what I like watching, that totally depends on the sort of mood I'm in. Sometimes I just feel like watching some sort of ridiculous Disney comedy where I don't even have to engage my brain and, at others, I like to watch some big epic.

Q. Are you married? If not, will you marry me?
Tanya, Birkenhead

I'm not actually - I'm a single man. But sorry Tanya, I'm a bit old fashioned and can't really take up a proposal on e-mail. Sorry...

Q. Rugby has traditionally had a reputation as being a drinking man's game. How often do you go out on the town and "have a few"?
Matt, Banbury

That's not as much the case now. It would be easy to do that when injured particularly, but you've got to be careful in the professional era. A lot of the time we play on Sundays so that doesn't make it that convenient for a big Saturday night. But the rest of the time I enjoy having a few glasses of wine and beer and really letting my hair down.

Q. Who are the players you have played opposite that you respect the most and why?
Edward Shaw, Leeds

I'm not sure we've got time for that. The thing is the list is way too long. There's been so many opponents over the years that I've respected... and still do now.

Q. Who moans the most in the England camp and who's the biggest joker?
Ben Cooper. Markyate

In terms of moaning, Stuart Abbott has got that prize wrapped up hands down. Seriously, that boy can moan about absolutely anything and go on about it for hours. That said, he does it in a very funny way. In terms of the biggest joker, that was always Mark Regan but now it's down to his fellow hooker Steve Thompson. Everyone likes playing jokes and pranks on each other... sadly mostly on me!

Q. What regiment were you in in the Army and why did you decide to leave to play rugby?
Charlie, Oakham

I was in the Royal Artillery but, in terms of why I left, that's too long an answer to go into now. But I'm still in touch with some of the guys there - they remain some of my best friends.