Lawrence Dallaglio has announced his England retirement with immediate effect and will also call time on his club career at the end of the season.
Wasps number eight calls time on 12-year Test career
Lawrence Dallaglio has announced his England retirement with immediate effect, the Wasps number eight also stating his intention to end his club career at the end of the season.
England head coach Brian Ashton will name his 32-man squad for the upcoming RBS Six Nations on Wednesday and had stated that the 35-year-old might have a chance of playing.
But Ashton is expected to opt for a younger side and now Dallaglio - who critcised the England boss in his recent autobiography - has made a pre-emptive strike and called time on a Test career spanning some 12 years and 85 matches.
"I have enjoyed a marvellous run and been the proudest of Englishmen every time I wore my country's jersey," Dallaglio told
The Sun.
"However, I believe my international career has run its course and it's time for me to step aside and make room for the young guns kicking down the door."
Dallaglio's final appearance in an England jersey therefore remains last autumn's defeat to South Africa in the World Cup final - the 15-6 loss in Paris coming just days before a newspaper serialisation of his autobiography in which he criticised Ashton's leadership.
No link
Nevertheless, Dallaglio claimed there to be no link between his retirement and the episode, claiming instead that it was simply time to let younger players take centre stage.
"What I do want to emphasise is that my decision has nothing whatsoever to do with England head coach Brian Ashton and my post-World Cup observations concerning his preparation early in the tournament," he continued.
"Mike Catt and Jason Robinson have retired from the Test arena and I'm doing the same.
"But England is blessed with a number of experienced guys who wish to continue being considered for selection.
"England can also turn to former skippers Martin Corry, Phil Vickery and Jonny Wilkinson to provide the team with a spine of experience.
"For me, the journey began and ended with South Africa.
"I made my England debut off the bench against the Boks at Twickenham in 1995 which began a fascinating journey for me.
"It has been a marvellous experience and one that I cannot better."
Speaking later on Thursday at a press conference to confirm his retirement plans, Dallaglio said: "I will miss playing rugby. I will miss the challenge of going up against some of the best players in the world. There isn't a better feeling you can get than winning a game of rugby alongside your team-mates.
"That feeling is what the game is all about - having struggled very hard and achieved a challenge together. Winning is what I shall miss."
Strong form
Dallaglio's decision to also end his club career comes in spite of both his recent strong form for Wasps and their hopes that he would sign a new contract for 2009.
But, while also announcing an end to his 17-year career with Wasps - his only club - Dallaglio hinted that he would consider a coaching career in the longer term.
"I'm probably playing my best rugby in two years but there will not be another new season for me at Wasps," he said.
"They are my only club and that's how it will remain when my boots hit the bin at the end of the season.
"Long-term I fancy coaching but it would have to be on the right terms and with the right set-up. Being honest, it's far too early for me to go beyond that."
Dallaglio has led Wasps to four Premiership titles and two Heineken Cups crowns and added that he wanted to sign off his club career with more silverware.
"I want to end my Wasps career by leading them to another major honour," he said.
Ashton paid tribute to Dallaglio's contribution to the game saying: "Lawrence has made a massive and influential contribution to his country and to London Wasps and I wish him all the best for the rest of this season and the future."
