Dallaglio's final flourish

Retiring Wasp wants to give Tigers a final sting

By Simon Dilger   Last updated: 30th May 2008

Lawrence Dallaglio Wasps

Dallaglio: Retiring

They're the champions, we're the challengers. It will be a Test match in everything but name and it's going to be a massive challenge.

Lawrence Dallaglio
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Wasps skipper Lawrence Dallaglio is aiming to go out on a high when he takes to the pitch for the last time in the Guinness Premiership final against arch-rivals Leicester this weekend.

Dallaglio, who has stayed with the London club throughout his 18-year career, is set to hang up his boots after the crunch match at Twickenham on Saturday.

And he is eager to mark the occasion by inflicting more final misery on the Tigers as the clubs renew a rivalry that has seen them share nine Premiership titles and four Heineken Cup wins in the last decade.

Wasps are marginally ahead after their 2005 Premiership title win ruined Martin Johnson's retirement party and last season's Heineken Cup victory wrecked the Tigers' treble ambitions

But Leicester reaped some revenge in this year's EDF Energy Cup semi-final and there is nothing they would like more than to deny Dallaglio the chance to end his career with a fifth Premiership winner's medal around his neck.

Tasty

"I am sure it will be a very tasty match," said Dallaglio. "In rugby union this is the rivalry.

"Nine titles between us and four Heineken Cups in the last 10 years - I think that says it all.

"Whatever we do we seem to come up against each other all the time. We know what to expect.

"They're the champions, we're the challengers. It will be a Test match in everything but name and it's going to be a massive challenge.

"But we are bang up for it. Myself and my team have been in this situation many times before and we understand how to prepare for a big occasion.

"We'll be trying to win a trophy we haven't won for a little while now."

Dynamic

Since his debut in 1990 Dallaglio has won four league titles, two Heineken Cups and three domestic cups with Wasps, plus a host of international honours with England and the Lions.

But time and injuries have taken their toll on the 35-year-old and he has been forced to adapt his game to compensate over the years.

He added: "The rugby brain stays very sharp but unfortunately the body doesn't work as well as the brain any more. It starts to slow down.

"As a rugby player you have to adapt the way you play to have longevity in your career.

"I can't do the things I could do when I joined Wasps. In those days I would have been comfortable playing in the centre or on the wing.

"I was a much more dynamic player but you have to be able to adapt. You do whatever you have to do to survive. That's what it's about."