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Dallaglio planning on swapping boots for suits at Wasps
Evening Standard 3 Jan 2008
Lawrence Dallaglio, having made his beloved London Wasps the best team in Europe, has revealed his next challenge is to turn them into one of the sport's major forces off the pitch.
The 35-year-old retired from Test rugby today and also announced this would be his 18th and final year in a Wasps jersey, with a career in the club's commercial and marketing operation his next target.
The former England captain will put plans to become a coach on hold to ensure Wasps transform their off-the-pitch image.
There are ambitious proposals to build a £ 40million stadium in partnership with Wycombe FC, which would allow both teams to move away from Adams Park. However, local council support is needed and Dallaglio could be the perfect frontman for a campaign to get the go-ahead.
Wasps have also been offered use of the 2012 Olympic Stadium in London if they cannot build a new home.
Dallaglio said: "It is now a question of what happens next. I am passionate about coaching and wouldn't rule that out as an option in the future but for now, I am talking to Wasps about the possibility of a post in the commercial and marketing area.
"Having competed strongly and beaten everyone on the pitch, it is time we moved forward off it and become the major force in the game in Europe.
"That is a challenge I would really like to take on, having first joined the club in 1990 when I looked in the paper and saw they were top of the league. I believe we have maintained that standard during my playing years here and that is very satisfying.
"As a player, you know instinctively when it's time to retire and although I believe I could play another year for Wasps - particularly as I am happy with my form at the moment - I want to move onto different challenges.
"World Cups tend to signal the time when players and coaches think about what they want to do next and I was very fortunate and honoured to get the chance to play for England again and reach another World Cup Final.
"At my age, I won't be appearing at another World Cup and that's why the time is right for other players to feature in the England squad."
Dallaglio played a key role as England become world champions in 2003 and although the No8 quit Test rugby a year later, he came out of international retirement in 2006 and helped the team reach last year's final in France.
On his return from the tournament, Dallaglio sparked controversy by criticising coach Brian Ashton's preparations for the World Cup but he insists that is not the reason he has decided to end his England career today.
"I am sure some people will draw their own conclusions but I know what the true situation is," said Dallaglio. "Brian has a lot of wonderful talent to choose from and I will be a very passionate England fan in the stands. It is going to be a very fascinating Six Nations and for me, it is now about my final months as a Wasps player."
"The thought of playing for England against Wales at Twickenham in February against a team being coached by Warren Gatland, the former Wasps director of rugby, would have been great but it is the time to go now."
Capped 85 times, Dallaglio has been a huge influence for England and nominated his former skipper Martin Johnson as the "greatest player I ever played with or against". He picked out the 2003 World Cup win in Sydney and the two Heineken Cup triumphs with Wasps as the highlights of his career.
"The lows were every time England lost," said Dallaglio. "The other obvious lows were damaging my knee on the 2001 Lions tour to Australia and then breaking my ankle on the 2005 Lions trip to New Zealand."
Looking ahead, Dallaglio said: "My aim is to try to win some more silverware with Wasps to add to the four league titles and two Heineken Cup triumphs that I have been fortunate to enjoy with this fantastic club."
