Rugby: Dallaglio to lead Argentinian tour

Lawrence Dallaglio will captain England on their proposed tour to Argentina this summer.

England boss Clive Woodward today confirmed Dallaglio’s appointment, less than 24 hours after the Wasps back-row star made a try-scoring return to Test rugby.

Dallaglio has been away from the international arena for a year, having undergone knee reconstruction surgery after he broke down injured during last summer’s Lions tour of Australia.

But Woodward sees him as the man to take charge of a testing South American trip, which is set to include one Test match against Argentina.

Dallaglio will take the reins in the absence of Martin Johnson, who is poised to be rested alongside several of his Lions Test team-mates.

Johnson, together with the likes of Jonny Wilkinson and Richard Hill will have a well-earned summer off when England head to Argentina.

‘‘Lawrence will be captain of the tour I am impressed with his leadership qualities,’’ said Woodward.

The England players were today heading home after concluding their Lloyds TSB Six Nations Championship campaign with a 45-9 victory over Italy.

But although Woodward’s team finished with a six-try flourish, they had already lost their Six Nations crown to new Grand Slam champions France.

England’s hopes collapsed when they lost in Paris last month.

And although they enjoyed sizeable winning margins in their other four games, they did not make the impact that Woodward would have wished for.

‘‘The Six Nations Championship from an England point of view this season was disappointing,’’ Woodward conceded.

‘‘We were flying 12 months ago, and the four games we played in the Six Nations were probably the best we had played since I took over.

‘‘If we had played Ireland when it was scheduled in March last year, then I believe we would have won all five matches and it would have been one of our greatest seasons.

‘‘But on the plus side this year, we have unearthed the likes of Lewis Moody, Steve Thompson, Ben Kay and Charlie Hodgson, and I hope to do the same during our proposed tour of Argentina.

‘‘We’ve lacked sharpness in this Six Nations, you saw that in Paris and in Rome, when we didn’t have the sparkle we were capable of.

‘‘Some of the guys are mentally stale, and we now want to pick up the momentum.

‘‘I believe that in 12 month’s time, we will be back to where we were 12 months ago.’’

Provided Argentina is confirmed, then England face a 14-Test schedule between now and World Cup 2003.

And their opponents during that build up will include New Zealand twice, starting at Twickenham in an eagerly-awaited encounter on November 9.