LAWRENCE DALLAGLIO
Former England RU Captain Lawrence Dallaglio of course, returned from Australia in December 2003 as part of the victorious England World Cup team.
He has won virtually every position and accolade available in the
game. He has been capped in all three positions in the back row, an automatic choice for the 1999 World Cup and the '97 Lions against the Springboks and he has never played in
another set of club colours, arriving at Sudbury as a teenager.
He was a member of England's Sevens team winning the inaugural World Cup in 1993, then a surprise choice for the '94 England tour to South Africa, a
shrewd selection by Jack Rowell. Yet the following winter he could not guarantee a place in Wasps back row. One season on and he became club captain when Rob
Andrew left for Newcastle in October 1995, taking four experienced players with him.
He held the club together during that troubled winter and 12 months later
established his full credentials by leading Wasps to the first professional English league title.
Named Daily Telegraph readers' Player of the Year and Lloyds TSB Six Nations Player of the Year, Dallaglio had a fantastic season in 1999/2000 when he was
handed back the club captaincy. Although the side's league form was disappointing, Lawrence led Wasps on an impressive Heineken Cup run and to a second
successive Tetley Bitter Cup victory.
Another impeccable season in 2000/2001 closed with selection for his second Lions Tour but an injury in the last game of the season against Bath, meant he was
doubtful for the trip to Australia. The Lions passed him fit but the knee gave way again in a mid-week match, cutting short his tour and forcing the Wasps captain to undergo reconstructive surgery.
He has represented England at every level and on his day is recognised as one of the world's best back-row players. Lawrence made his debut for England in
November 1995; he has scored 13 international tries and holds 58 caps.
Lawrence started the 2002 / 2003 season fully fit and injury free and led London Wasps to the Parker Pen Challenge Cup and Zurich Premiership trophies.