Dallaglio - It's a new dawn

Dallaglio: Not hanging up his boots just yet

Obviously it will dawn on me later on that I've retired when I can't play a game of rugby. That's probably why I jumped at the opportunity to be involved in one at the start of the season

Lawrence Dallaglio
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England's tour of New Zealand
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Lawrence Dallaglio believes England's players have a great chance to impress new coach Martin Johnson on the tour of New Zealand.

The squad set off on Monday night for the two-Test series against the All Blacks, which can be seen live on Sky Sports.

Although he won't actually be travelling to New Zealand himself, the trip offers Johnson the chance to take a look at his players in action for the first time, even if several star names are missing through injury.

Now retired after leading Wasps to Guinness Premiership glory in his final game on Saturday, World Cup winner Dallaglio will also be watching on with interest, though not regretting the fact that he can't be there himself.

"Not at all," he told Sky Sports News when asked if he was jealous of those players heading to New Zealand.

Opportunity

"I've had my opportunity, I've had my day. I felt sorry for the (Wasps) guys because they literally had one evening to enjoy what has been a huge amount of work, spend time with their wives and girlfriends and then catch a plane.

"They've hardly had time to draw breath, but they are going to need all the energy they can get when they play New Zealand.

"It's a tough tour but there's still plenty to be optimistic about. The guys will be battled hardened from playing at the weekend and I'm sure they are looking forward to it.

"It's a new dawn. Martin Johnson is the new coach, even though he's not going to be in New Zealand, and I think there are a lot of opportunities and places up for grabs.

"There will be a lot of young men thinking they can stake a claim and show Martin and the other guys what they are capable of. They'll gain from the experience from touring New Zealand."

Dallaglio may have ended his professional career but he has not hung up his boots completely, agreeing to be part of the 'Help for Heroes' match in September, which will raise money for those from the armed services injured in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The 35-year-old was back at Twickenham to launch the one-off game just days after leading his club to glory, an achievement he describes as one of the biggest in Wasps' history.

Different

"It doesn't feel that different because it is the end of the season," Dallaglio said when asked about retirement. "I'm going to have a little holiday, a little rest and recuperation.

"Obviously it will dawn on me later on that I've retired when I can't play a game of rugby. That's probably why I jumped at the opportunity to be involved in one at the start of the season."

On his final Wasps appearance, he added: "It was a great day; it would be selfish of me just to hold those memories to myself.

"It was a great day for everyone involved with the game, obviously there has to be a winner and a loser and I'm just delighted we came out on top.

"It was one of the biggest achievements as a club because of where we were at the beginning of the season. It will go down as a huge effort by everyone."