England captain believes he still has a few more years left at the top level
Reinvigorated at the prospect of playing a leading role in the rebuilding process of the world champions, England captain and No 8 Lawrence Dallaglio revealed yesterday that he has another two to three years of top-class rugby left in his career.
'The clock is ticking for me, but if I'm lucky, I hope to play two or three more years for club and country. England's recent setback has given me renewed enthusiasm and I'm looking forward to playing a part in the rebuilding process,'' said Dallaglio, who turns 32 next month.
On a brief stopover in Hong Kong, the second leg of a speaking tour in his benefit year, the Red Rose captain took time off to meet local rugby players for a question-and-answer session at Hong Kong Stadium. He was accompanied by World Cup-winning teammates Jason Leonard and Will Greenwood and former England lock Martin Bayfield.
Some of the world's referees and linesmen might think to the contrary, but beneath his tough-cookie exterior Dallaglio can be quite charming. He was accommodating as he patiently answered questions from both the media and the assembled Hong Kong players, among them senior team skipper Lachlin Miller and deputy Brett Forsyth.
'England have always been accused of peaking between World Cups in the past. The recent results in New Zealand and Australia give us the chance to re-focus and rebuild. We have something to aim for,'' said Dallaglio putting a positive spin on England's slump.