Dallaglio's rocky road back

LAWRENCE DALLAGLIO FACTFILE Born: 10 Aug 1972 Position: Number eight Club: Wasps Test caps: 65 Test points: 70 Tests as captain: 14 Debut: v South Africa 1995

Anyone doubting the decision to reappoint Lawrence Dallaglio as England captain may wish to consider the opinion of the man he succeeds.

Writing in his recent autobiography, Martin Johnson was in no doubt about the leadership qualities of his fellow rugby warrior:

"Lawrence is a born leader. If you had a group of blokes stuck in the jungle, he would become a leader of that group," Johnson said.

Johnson goes on to describe a "strong, charismatic character who enjoys taking responsibility and thrives on it".

England coach Sir Clive Woodward obviously feels the same way about a player generally regarded as the finest number eight in world rugby.

He was not short of options when it came to choosing Johnson's successor, but singled out Dallaglio as the "stand-out choice".

Dallaglio reclaims captaincy

His return to a role he previously held for 14 Tests between December 1997 and May 1999 completes a remarkable turnaround in fortunes.

Dallaglio was Woodward's first captain after the coach took over the England reins, but his spell in charge culminated in double disappointment.

Dallaglio was criticised for tactical errors of judgement as England suffered the first of three successive Grand Slam mishaps, against Wales at Wembley.

But despite the surprise defeat, there were few suggestions he should lose the captaincy.

That changed a few weeks later however when the News of the World newspaper published revelations of Dallaglio claiming to have been involved in taking and selling drugs.

Dallaglio was forced to step down

Dallaglio insisted he had done nothing wrong and simply made up the claims to impress undercover reporters, who had posed as marketing executives hoping to set up an advertising campaign.

But he pleaded guilty to bringing the game into disrepute and stepped down as captain, subsequently being left out of that summer's tour to Australia.

Despite the incident he returned in time for the 1999 World Cup, and has remained an integral part of the England set-up since, despite missing the 2001-2002 season with a serious knee injury.

Dallaglio started playing rugby at Ampleforth boarding school in north Yorkshire and on returning to London joined Wasps in 1990, the only club he has played for in his career.

He first cut his teeth at international level in Sevens rugby, a member of the England side that won the inaugural World Cup Sevens in 1993.

But his progress at the 15-man game saw him being named Wasps captain in 1995 and he made his Test debut against South Africa the same year.

He had established himself sufficiently to win a place in the British Lions side which won the series in South Africa in 1997.

Dallaglio has continually proved his ability to overcome adversity.

I'm really pleased for him and I am confident he will be excellent in the role Sir Clive Woodward

His family life was rocked by the death of his sister Francesca in the Marchioness riverboat disaster in 1989.

And after the News of the World "sting" left his career temporarily in tatters, he silenced his critics by being named player of the Six Nations in 2000.

Dallaglio also had to deal with a year on the sidelines after the British Lions tour of 2001, when he flew home from Australia with cruciate knee ligament damage.

But he worked tirelessly with England's medical staff to return to the fray the following season.

He was dropped by Clive Woodward for autumn internationals against Australia and South Africa in 2002, starting last year's Six Nations campaign on the bench.

But he returned to play a key role in the Grand Slam decider in Dublin, and also saved his best for the biggest occasion at the World Cup.

Criticised for mediocre form in the group stages, Dallaglio nevertheless played every minute of England's campaign, and was a dominant figure in the final victory over Australia.

Like the rest of the squad, he was awarded an MBE in the wake of that triumph, and following Johnson's retirement, will once again assume a role he treasures.

Against the land of his father, England's opening Six Nations match in Rome promises to be an extra-special occasion for "the Italian Stallion".