Six Nations: Dallaglio delighted to end exile

Lawrence Dallaglio’s 12-month international exile should end in Rome on Sunday and the former England captain admits: ‘‘I am delighted to be back.’’

Dallaglio will feature on a star-studded England bench against Italy in this season’s Lloyds TSB Six Nations Championship finale.

And if, as expected, Dallaglio wins his 48th cap, then it will be exactly one year to the day since he last sampled Test rugby.

A month after England’s 48-19 Six Nations stroll past France, he was laid low by a knee problem during Wasps’ Zurich Premiership play-off semi-final defeat at the hands of Bath.

Although Dallaglio then made the Lions tour to Australia last summer, he broke down again, and subsequent knee reconstruction surgery meant a lengthy recuperation.

But a 20-minute appearance against Sale last month, followed by a commanding full comeback game when Wasps toppled Premiership champions-elect Leicester four days ago, convinced England boss Clive Woodward that Dallaglio was ready for his long-awaited return.

‘‘I’ve said all along that it would be a question of getting back playing rugby and finding out where I was really,’’ said Dallaglio, who will be joined among the replacements by fellow England skippers Martin Johnson, Matt Dawson and Jason Leonard.

‘‘It was a bit difficult to gauge after just 20 minutes against Sale, but a little easier after 80 minutes against Leicester, and I am delighted to be back.

‘‘I’ve been with the England squad ever since I was injured, so I have not been completely out of touch,’’ he added.

‘‘It hasn’t felt as though I have been a million miles away I have seen how the squad has evolved this season and I’ve tried to keep in touch, albeit from a distance.

‘‘I always thought when I came back there would be a little bit of concern that possibly I wouldn’t have the same fitness as some of the other players, but you have got to temper that with the fact I’m probably a lot fresher than some of them so on balance, I think it has come out about even.

‘‘In the early stages of recovery from injury, it is a difficult road back, yet last Sunday was enough of a confidence-booster they don’t get any harder than Leicester.

‘‘It was a very physical game and I enjoyed it. I feel ready, if required, this weekend.’’

Lions captain Johnson, meanwhile, has put a brave face on his shock omission from England’s starting line-up.

Johnson heads for Rome tonight, weighing up a totally different proposition to the one facing Dallaglio.

After missing the record Six Nations romp against Wales last month through suspension, Johnson has seen his Leicester team-mate Neil Back retain leadership duties and has failed to split England’s second-row partnership of Danny Grewcock and Ben Kay.

‘‘I was a bit surprised, but Danny and Ben are world-class second-rows,’’ Johnson said.

‘‘There have always been good second-rows around in England, meaning a lot of competition, so you must never take anything for granted, I guess.’’

Woodward, whose starting XV shows one change from Wales as a fit-again Jason Robinson predictably replaces Austin Healey at full-back, underlined that widespread team alterations were not considered.

‘‘I thought the team played very well against Wales, especially Grewcock and Kay. In terms of players coming in, there was only one player I believed would significantly add to the team, and that was Jason Robinson,’’ Woodward said.

‘‘When I said don’t read too much into it (Johnson’s bench role), I actually meant that. Martin knows he is in a very competitive position, and Grewcock and Kay were outstanding against Wales.

‘‘I am Martin Johnson’s biggest fan that is why I supported him so vigorously about playing against France but the team is picked on merit, and no selection is a foregone conclusion.

‘‘I don’t see Martin being on the bench as a big deal there is no issue, as far as I am concerned.’’

England can still retain their Six Nations title this weekend, but only if they beat wooden spoon favourites Italy and Ireland topple championship leaders France in Paris 24 hours earlier.