Lawrence Dallaglio

Lorenzo "Lawrence" Bruno Nero Dallaglio (born on August 10, 1972 in London) is the former captain of the English national rugby union team. He plays flanker or number 8 for London Wasps, he has never played in another set of club colours, arriving at Sudbury as a teenager. He captained England before handing over to Martin Johnson and has been capped in all three positions in the backrow.

Related Topics:
August 10 - 1972 - London - English national - Rugby union - Flanker - Number 8 - London Wasps - Martin Johnson

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Dallaglio was born in Shepherd's Bush, London, the son of an Italian ice cream salesman. He was educated at Ampleforth College. His grandfather was Italian and his mother was Welsh.

Related Topics:
Shepherd's Bush - London - Italian - Ampleforth College - Welsh

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He won the inaugural World Cup Sevens with England in 1993. He was then a surprise choice for the '94 England tour to South Africa. Yet the following winter he wasn't guaranteed a place in Wasps backrow. 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 and 12 months later lead Wasps to the first professional English league title.

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He made his debut for England in November 1995 and has go on to win more than 65 caps for England. He toured South Africa with the 1997 Lions tour.

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He took over as England captain from Phil de Glanville in the autumn of 1997 by new coach Clive Woodward. The other candidate for the job, Martin Johnson had led the Lions tour, but Dallaglio was preferred.

Related Topics:
Phil de Glanville - Clive Woodward - Martin Johnson

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In 1999 he was caught by a honey trap by the News of the World, who managed to get a confession from him that he was a regular cocaine user. Although he later denied this, and put it down to alcohol-induced bravado, he lost the England captaincy to Johnson. He continued playing, especially at number eight in the Neil Back - Dallaglio - Richard Hill back row triumvirate.

Related Topics:
News of the World - Cocaine - Neil Back - Richard Hill

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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.

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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.

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Dallaglio was part of the 2003 England grand slam and world cup winning side, he played in every England game during the World Cup and was not replaced once. He regained the captaincy in 2004 after Johnson's retirement from international rugby. Without Johnson the team played poorly, and Dallaglio announced his retirement from international rugby on August 31, 2004. He continued to play for Wasps.

Related Topics:
August 31 - 2004

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Despite his international retirement, Dallaglio was called up for his third British and Irish Lions tour in 2005. Back and Hill also received Lions call-ups. Dallaglio was not able to add any more Lions caps, as he fractured his ankle during the Lions' first tour match on June 4.

Related Topics:
British and Irish Lions - In 2005 - June 4

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