McGeechan backs Dallaglio to deliver for England

WORLD CUP winner Lawrence Dallaglio has been backed to “deliver for England” when they defend the Webb Ellis Trophy in France next month.

Wasps star Dallaglio will arrive at his third successive World Cup tournament as the most decorated figure in head coach Brian Ashton’s 30-man group.

The 79-times capped former England skipper, one of 12 survivors from England’s original 2003 World Cup squad, has a global stage to launch what could be his farewell season.

But while Dallaglio, 35 last week, made Ashton’s final cut, there was heartbreak for long-time Test colleague Mike Tindall, Wasps team-mates Tom Palmer, James Haskell and Danny Cipriani, Sale Sharks fly-half Charlie Hodgson, Newcastle midfield prospect Toby Flood, Bath full-back Nick Abendanon and Saracens prop Kevin Yates.

All eight fell at the final hurdle following a summer of punishing training that included Royal Marine exercises and working out in searing heat on the Portuguese Algarve.

Tindall ran out of time in his race to recover from a broken leg suffered four months ago, while Hodgson — although fully fit — has not played since he sustained a serious knee injury last November.

Ashton, quite simply, could not entertain the risk element involved with both players. Of the remaining casualties, Flood and Haskell probably have most cause to feel aggrieved.

The nervous selection waiting game had a positive outcome for Dallaglio though, and ex-Lions supremo Ian McGeechan has backed him to produce the goods.

Wasps rugby director McGeechan said: “There is no doubt Lawrence has proved himself in every way on the biggest stages rugby has to offer, not just on the field, but what he brings to the team environment.

“His inclusion has really vindicated the way we managed him at Wasps over the past 12 months, particularly in the second half of last season when he just became more and more effective with every game.

“I have no doubt that as a player and a leader, he will deliver for England in the coming weeks.”

Ashton’s squad, which will be captained by Wasps prop Phil Vickery, is largely as expected.

Ashton applied finishing touches in the wake of England’s 21-15 World Cup warm-up defeat against Twickenham visitors France two days ago.

Some of his final decisions would have been marginal calls, possibly those involving Flood, Haskell and Yates, but there is elation for ex-Great Britain rugby league skipper Andy Farrell, who figures despite making just four England appearances.

European champions Wasps provide the biggest single club representation with seven players, followed by five from Leicester.

Ashton announces his team to play France today, hoping that three players — Mark Cueto (groin), Peter Richards (back), Tom Rees (hamstring strain) — will have returned to training in Bath.

Rees’ fellow flanker Lewis Moody is nursing a calf muscle injury that kept him out of the France reversal.

Cueto is favourite to wear England’s number 15 shirt at the World Cup after Ashton opted against selecting a specialist full-back, while Rees is the solitary natural openside flanker, although Moody and Joe Worsley offer experienced alternatives.

Injuries permitting, the team that starts at Stade Velodrome next Saturday could be the one Ashton envisages tackling pivotal World Cup pool opponents South Africa on September 14.