Dallaglio bows out in style

Lawrence Dallaglio finished his distinguished career on a fitting note on Saturday by holding aloft the Guinness Premiership trophy.

Yet another league title marks the last outing on a rugby field by probably the greatest Number 8 ever. Wasps will miss their talisman, their Captain Incredible and the steely grit of his determination.

I for one was slightly put out by his comments about Brian Ashton after the World Cup last year, but all is forgiven for it appears he may have been right, and we now bid him a fond farewell.

In my opinion, 2003 was his greatest year as he formed one third of England’s finest back row along with Neil Back and Richard Hill. One of my favourite memories of the giant forward was during that World Cup final when he was penalised in front of the posts. Instead of exploding with anger at the referee, he gave a wry smile and tilted his enormous head as if to say, ‘Fair enough, I was guilty’.

This memory may not have been so fond had we gone onto lose the final, since Elton Flatley slotted that penalty to level the scores, but as it stands, Lawrence is a legend.

No doubt he won’t stray too far from the limelight and we’ll be seeing him in a coaching role at Wasps and possibly even with England under Martin Johnson.

For now though, Lawrence Dallaglio, we salute you.

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