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Dallaglio considering international return

05/10/2005

Former England captain Lawrence Dallaglio has hinted that he will come out of international retirement to help England retain the World Cup.

The Wasps forward will make his return to competitive rugby this Friday when the Londoners take on Cardiff in the Powergen Cup after recovering from a broken ankle sustained during the British Lions' tour of New Zealand this summer.

Dallaglio is targeting a return to form with Wasps but admits he would like to play in the Six Nations, which starts in February, and help build a team capable of retaining the World Cup in 2007.

"When your country calls - if it calls - it is very difficult to turn down, because playing rugby is about playing at the highest level," Dallaglio said.

Dallaglio, who has played 58 times for England, retired from international rugby after England's 2004 summer tour to Australia and New Zealand, saying that he was no longer able to keep up with the physical demands of modern rugby.

However, the 33-year-old has hinted that the thought of playing in another World Cup could see him return to the international fold.

"I am excited about the potential we have to mount a successful World Cup defence," he added.

"We are a long way from that now, and there are a lot of players and coaches who have to restore their reputations. Fortunately we have a lot of games to do it in."

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