News: England captain Lawrence Dallaglio looks set to announce his retirement from international rugby today. The Wasps star has called a mid-morning press conference at Twickenham, when he will make what has been described as "an important announcement".
The 32-year-old will follow fellow England World Cup winners Martin Johnson, Neil Back, Jason Leonard and Kyran Bracken if he decides to end his Test career. But unlike his former England colleagues, Dallaglio's decision would come as a major surprise to many.
And, if confirmed, Dallaglio's departure from the England scene will leave head coach Clive Woodward needing to appoint a new captain less than three months before the autumn series of Tests against Tri-Nations champions South Africa, Australia and Canada.
Favourites for the job would appear to be outhalf Jonny Wilkinson, flanker Richard Hill and prop Phil Vickery.
Gloucester forward Vickery, however, is currently recovering from a back operation.
Woodward could also consider a number of outsiders for the job, players like Dallaglio's Wasps colleague Matt Dawson, Harlequins centre Will Greenwood or Northampton hooker Steve Thompson.
But Dallaglio's anticipated absence will leave a huge void in the England ranks as the world champions look to bounce back from a miserable first half of 2004 when they lost five of their eight Tests.
Dallaglio has won 73 caps since making his England debut against South Africa in November 1995 and he is the fourth-highest capped England international of all time - behind Leonard (114), Rory Underwood (85) and Johnson (84). And like that illustrious trio, his contribution to the England cause has been immense.
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