Dawson: Woodward told me to sort myself out

World Cup-winning scrum-half Matt Dawson has revealed he came close to quitting the game two years ago.

Dawson was upset by the reaction to his controversial Lions Tour diary in 2001 and was then dropped by England for an “attitude” problem after England’s Grand Slam defeat to Ireland.

In his autobiography which is published tomorrow and serialised in the Daily Telegraph, Dawson tells how England coach Clive Woodward helped get him back on track.

“He told me I had to sort myself out if I wanted to play for England again,” Dawson said.

“Your mind is away on TV, this, that and the other. The truth is that away from rugby I lacked discipline in my life. I needed someone to give me a kick up the backside.

“Clive’s reaction was exactly what I needed to hear at precisely the right time, even though I was hurt by the suggestion I was being unprofessional by putting commercial gain ahead of my responsibilities as a professional rugby player.”