Dallaglio set to decide future

Wasps have called a press conference at lunchtime tomorrow that will end mounting speculation over Lawrence Dallaglio's future.

Dallaglio has announced his England retirement once already — in August 2004 — and could be set to bow out of the Test arena for a second and final time.

England head coach Brian Ashton names his 32-man squad for the RBS 6 Nations on Wednesday and stated upon his reappointment two weeks ago that Dallaglio would remain under consideration for international duty.

But Ashton, who was heavily criticised in Dallaglio's recent autobiography, is expected to favour younger players as he begins rebuilding the team.

Dallaglio started on the bench for the latter stages of the World Cup and played only a peripheral role during the march to the final.

In April the 35-year-old responded to his deteriorating form by questioning his future, hinting he might retire from all rugby at the end of the season.

But he was magnificent in the latter stages of Wasps' run to the Heineken Cup final and after returning from France, he has continued where he left off last term.

With the old war-horse revitalised and close to his commanding best on thepitch, talk of his retirement from the sport has faded.

Instead, Wasps are keen to tie Dallaglio down to a new contract with his current deal set to expire in the summer.

Wasps chief executive Tony Copsey said earlier this week: "Lawrence is currently playing some of the best rugby he's played for a long time.

"We hope he will carry on playing for us next season."

His continued presence at Adams Park could possibly involve a tracksuit role with forwards coach Craig Dowd having returned to New Zealand.

Leon Holden has replaced Dowd but the Kiwi's area of expertise is technical analysis and Wasps may see Dallaglio as the long-term solution.

The club have a policy of promoting from within and will be determined to keep Dallaglio, who has spent his entire 17-year playing career at Wasps, at all costs.

Further opportunities could arise with highly-rated assistant coach Shaun Edwards weighing up offers for part-time roles with England and Wales.

Should Dallaglio accept an offer to become player-coach his new duties would be incompatible with England as some Six Nations and club fixtures overlap, forcing his international retirement.