KEY POINTS:
England rugby coach Brian Ashton seems poised to pick Lawrence Dallaglio for his World Cup squad.
The 34-year-old Wasps captain was very much in Ashton's thoughts yesterday, despite the logjam surrounding the back five of the England team, one of few areas of strength in the reigning champions' armoury.
"Lawrence has never been out of my thinking," Ashton said. "One of the things he brings to the party is very good leadership on the field. It may well be something we feel we need in respect of the tournament ahead."
So why did he ignore the three-times Lion during the Six Nations? "On his own admission, it hadn't been a great season for him at that point," the coach replied. "But once the Heineken Cup knockout stages kicked in, he played better and better."
That was certainly true. In two of the most highly charged European games of this or any other season - Wasps' quarter-final with Leinster and their final with Leicester - the former national captain produced performances of something close to test quality, despite not having represented his country since the penultimate match of the 2006 Six Nations.
He did not run the full course on either occasion but, by introducing the game-breaking talents of another capped back-row forward, James Haskell, off the bench, Wasps built on the foundations laid by their most celebrated player. England could do far worse than borrow the tactic.
When Ashton announces his World Cup 30 in mid-August, there could be as few as eight back-five operators in the party, although nine is more likely. There are half-a-dozen contenders from Wasps alone: Simon Shaw and Tom Palmer in the second row; Tom Rees, Joe Worsley, Haskell and Dallaglio in the loose forward department. At least 11 more will be considered: Martin Corry, Louis Deacon, Ben Kay and Lewis Moody of Leicester; Danny Grewcock and Steve Borthwick of Bath; Magnus Lund and Chris Jones of Sale; Nick Easter of Harlequins; Andy Hazell of Gloucester, and Pat Sanderson of Worcester.
In the aftermath of his underbaked team's courageous but futile tilt at the Springboks on Sunday, Ashton admitted he knew only five of his first-choice side for the World Cup. "I'm fully aware that this is not as it should be this close to the tournament but I wouldn't say I'm alarmed by it," he said. "It's not as if I have five definite starters and 10 complete blanks. I have five definites and 20-plus contenders for the other positions."
If there is a Mother Hubbardish air about certain positions, Ashton will not find himself short of leaders, especially if he brings Dallaglio in from the cold. The coach confirmed that the Wasps prop, Phil Vickery, his initial choice as England captain, would continue in the role and waxed lyrical about the contribution made by Mark Regan of Bristol, who has eased worries on the hooking front.
"This was always going to be a difficult trip but it was one we had to fulfil," Ashton said. "The challenge itself was enjoyable and the terrific character shown by the players in the face of the gastric illness that went through the camp was satisfying.
"I'm mystified as to how they ran around for 10 minutes, let alone 60 or 70. I'm not sure the circumstances told me anything new about their ability but I learned something about their attitude."
- INDEPENDENT
