England's RBS 6 Nations defeat to Ireland on Sunday was their ninth in 14 Tests since winning the World Cup and they have not made a worse start to the championship in 18 years.

Head coach Andy Robinson is attempting to build a new side capable of retaining the Webb Ellis trophy at France 2007 and Lewsey is confident England have what it takes to rule the world once again.

But the Wasps winger conceded there is a long and difficult path still to travel and predicted hard times ahead.

Comparisons are always being made between us and the World Cup-winning side. That side knew how to go out and win a game of rugby when it wasn't playing well, said Lewsey.

We have to develop that ability to close out a game. That is where we have got to look at it and realise we are not quite there yet.

People talk about Martin Johnson, Neil Back, Jason Leonard, Lawrence Dallaglio who have all retired - it took time for those players to develop.

That team went through some heartache, losing to Wales at Wembley, Scotland up in Edinburgh and Ireland at Lansdowne Road.

This is the heartache now, this is the difficult period. I think that will take another 12 to 18 months.

The key for me is to be winning these big games in 12 to 18 months time so you have that unbeaten period as England did before the last World Cup.

If we can maintain the self-belief I think we will see the natural leaders coming through and in the not too distant future the team will become more complete rather than 22 talented individuals.