England captain Lawrence Dallaglio has called a news conference on Tuesday amid speculation that he is to retire from international rugby union.
The veteran back row, who has played 73 times for his country and was on the team that won the World Cup last year, took over the captaincy after Martin Johnson retired soon after England’s triumph in Australia. But he didn’t get the same results.
England lost the Six Nations championship and have lost five of their last eight Tests to Ireland, France, New Zealand (twice) and Australia.
If Dallaglio decides to step down, it comes at a time when Jonny Wilkinson is at last returning to competitive rugby after 10 months out following a major shoulder and neck problem that needed surgery.
The flyhalf was being groomed as a future England captain when the injury struck. Other leading candidates would be flank forward Richard Hill, prop Phil Vickery or flyhalf Matt Dawson, with England due to face South Africa, Australia and Canada during October and November.
If Dallaglio announces his retirement, he joins Johnson, Jason Leonard, Neil Back and Kyran Bracken as World Cup stars who have quit the international game.
The Wasps back row has captained England 22 times in two spells and is the team’s fourth-most-experienced all-time player behind Leonard (114 caps), Rory Underwood (85) and Johnson (84).
Even if he steps down as an England player, he could still be chosen to lead the British Lions in New Zealand next year, especially with England coach Clive Woodward already chosen to take charge. — Sapa-AP