Dallaglio in hunt for top award

FORMER England captain Lawrence Dallaglio has been nominated for a prestigious international award. He is among five players in contention for the 2004 Investec International Players’ Player of the Year.

The Wasps skipper and World Cup winner, who retired from Test rugby in August, will contest the honour alongside French flanker Serge B etsen, South African back-row forward Schalk Burger, New Zealand try-machine Joe Rokocoko and Australian wing Lote Tuqiri. The award, won last year by England’s Jonny Wilkinson, will be the highlight of the International Rugby Players’ Association Investec ceremony in London next week.

Burger has also been nominated for newcomer of the year alongside Irish centre Gordon D’Arcy, All Blacks forward Jono Gibbes, Wallabies wing Clyde Rathbone and New Zealand’s Sam Tuitipou.

England, France and South Africa are team category nominations, with try of the year candidates including Wales fly-half Stephen Jones’ touchdown against World Cup quarter-final opponents England.