EMYR Lewis has hung up his boots and retired from professional rugby following his release from Exeter Chiefs.

The 33-year-old was one of eight players who officially left Sandy Park yesterday after their contracts expired.

And Lewis says it is something of a relief to turn his back on playing and look towards his future as director of rugby at Loughborough Grammar School — a post he starts in September.

The former full-back said: "I was not at all disappointed to be released.

"I enjoyed myself but it has got to the stage where I have other options, so playing rugby became secondary. I'm retiring now.

"I'm closing one chapter but starting another and moving on into the other side in terms of coaching, so I'm really looking forward to it — it's exciting times for me.

"I had a frustrating two years at Exeter if I'm being honest. It was the right time to move on. I signed with the Chiefs for two years and the plan was always to see those two out and then look at other options."

During his final season with the Chiefs, Lewis made 11 starts and one further appearance off the bench, scoring two tries.

However, having started the campaign as a regular, Lewis lost his place in the side following a defeat to rivals Plymouth Albion in December and he only made two more appearances after that — both of which came in the British & Irish Cup.

The Welshman says he will look back fondly on his final season with the Chiefs because it finished with the club winning promotion to the Premiership.

But the veteran admits the campaign came to a disappointing end on a personal level.

Lewis said: "In my first year I didn't have many opportunities, and in the second year I was a bit gutted with how it ended.

"I was involved in most games before Christmas and then from Christmas onwards I didn't really get a look in for some reason.

"The coaches had their views on that and that's rugby.

"We had a big squad, a strong squad and the players there were obviously players better than me in that position.

"Ideally it would been lovely to play in one of the final fixtures against Bristol, but it wasn't to be.

"But it will always be on my CV that I finished my career in a Championship-winning side, so you cannot complain from that side of things."

Lewis says he hopes to catch some of the Chiefs' games next season.

Moving to Leicestershire means he will be handily placed to watch away games against the likes of Northampton and Leicester.

And Lewis is tipping his old side to hold their own in the top tier.

"Survival is the main aim and the other teams in similar position are Newcastle and Leeds. I think it will boil down to the fixtures against those two," Lewis said.

"It's going to be a big ask but I really do think at home, with that big crowd in Exeter, they have got a chance. I will not be surprised at all if Exeter stay up."