Dawson explains exit decision
Matt Dawson told Sky Sports News that his decision to quit rugby "just felt right".
Matt Dawson has revealed the first thing he will do when he retires from rugby at the end of the season: Sit down and watch the 2003 World Cup triumph.
The Wasps man revealed he has never watched the moment when he famously spun the ball back to Jonny Wilkinson for the World Cup-winning drop goal, and he admits it is one of a number of things he has to look forward to when he hangs up his boots.
"Of course the World Cup in 2003 was absolutely magnificent; I always promised myself when retired I would sit down with a case of beers and watch that final - I've still not watched it so there's one thing on the list that I will be doing!" Dawson told Sky Sports News.
"It sticks out a mile in my England shirt, I've been very fortunate to be involved in three Lions tours and the win in 1997 (in South Africa) against all odds was probably the turning point in my career.
"I then started to understand what international rugby was all about, so those two I would probably find very difficult to split."
Commenting further on his surprise decision to quit the 15-man game, Dawson revealed it was simply a desire of his to quit whilst still at the top.
The scrum half's club side Wasps still have major designs on a League and Cup double this season, beginning in Twickenham against Llanelli Scarlets in the Powergen Cup final.
It would be fitting for a World Cup-winner like Dawson, holder of 77 caps, to finish on a high, and the scrum half insists he has few doubts about his retirement.
"It's just right. There are a list of reasons. I've been looking up and down for probably a couple of years now, the pros and cons - why should I? Why shouldn't I?
"That list of why I should has just got that little bit longer as the last few months have gone on.
"Everything's right for me, there's nothing negative about it at all, it's all positive and I'm looking forward to whatever I'm going to do next and I'll take that step forward."
The 33-year-old leaves the game as England's most capped number nine, and his last international appearance came in the recent Six Nations defeat to Ireland.
