There is enough rugby potential in England for the national side to mount a successful defence of its World Cup in 2007, former skipper Lawrence Dallaglio said on Wednesday.
”I am excited about the potential we have to mount a successful World Cup defence,” said Dallaglio. ”We are a long way from that now, and there are a lot of players and coaches who have to restore their reputations. Fortunately, we have a lot of games to do it.”
Dallaglio (33) is yet to officially come out of England retirement — a decision he made a year ago because of the ”brutal demands” of the modern game — but his desire to pull on an English jersey burns strongly once again.
He has already made clear that any return to international rugby would be with the World Cup in mind — and that draw, for a man as dedicated as Dallaglio, is almost impossible to ignore.
”When your country calls — if it calls — it is very difficult to turn down, because playing rugby is about playing at the highest level.”
England coach Andy Robinson would relish the chance to include Dallaglio in his squad, but there will be no hasty decision from the Wasps captain who wants to prove himself ready for an international recall.
That process begins on Friday evening when he starts for Wasps in their Powergen Cup tie against Cardiff, just four months and three days after breaking his ankle playing for the British and Irish Lions in their first game on the tour of New Zealand.
”Right now the highest level for me is this weekend, against probably 12 or 13 internationals,” he said. ”I have a lot of work to do, and that starts on Friday. I am coming cold into a season where guys are seven games down the track.
”I have missed being in the changing room. I have missed the smell, the taste, the thrill of it and I am very much looking forward to getting back.
”This game is an ideal start for me. There is plenty on my rugby menu for the next four or five weeks without even thinking of anything else.” — Sapa-AFP