Dallaglio ready for French test

Lawrence Dallaglio has declared himself “100% fit” for England’s RBS 6 Nations opener against France at Twickenham on Saturday after leading Wasps to their 35-11 Zurich Premiership victory over London Irish.

Dallaglio, who sat out training at England’s two-day get-together last week because of a shoulder injury, banished any fears about his fitness with an inspirational display and announced: “I’m just looking forward to turning up at the hotel and reporting fit.

“The injury was perhaps reported a little bit worse than it was but I trained with Wasps at the end of the week and was delighted to play. The England team will be selected on merit and I don’t know if I will be involved, but you just like to play the week before a big match.”

On the strength of the regard in which the French hold him and a superb display for Wasps against Stade Francais last month, the least Dallaglio is likely to receive from England coach Clive Woodward is a place on the bench for what he describes as “a real mouthwatering game”.

Dallaglio, competing with Richard Hill, Lewis Moody and Neil Back for the two flanker roles, said: “Clive has lots of options, not only in the back row but right across the team.

“I expect it will be a tremendously physical game, one which every English forward should really look forward to. Their pack is one of the best in the world, we know that, and it will be a major battle in that area.

“They clearly came out on top in that particular department last year and it will go a long way towards deciding the game.”

Dallaglio insisted that he had been given no clues by Woodward ahead of the team announcement and said: “My form is for other people to judge but if I’m going out there and playing and Wasps are winning every week, then we must be doing something right.”

Wasps’ four tries produced the bonus points which enabled them to move level on points with third-placed Leicester Tigers and Leeds in the Zurich Premiership table.

There was an added bonus for right wing Josh Lewsey, whose blistering pace laid the foundations for the victory on his return to the starting line-up after a hamstring injury.

It provided him with the opening try and set up the second for full-back Mark van Gisbergen and then Lewsey learned after the match that he had been called up as an addition to the England A squad.

Director of coaching Warren Gatland praised his contribution and added: “We feel that if we play to our potential we are a top-three team.

“We have a chance of getting back into the Heineken Cup through the Parker Pen but feel that is our ‘get out of jail’ card and don’t want to do it that way. We want to make sure we qualify through finishing in the top three.”