England legend Matt Dawson has selected his all-time England XV for the RFU.
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A number of big names miss out, with Mike Tindall, Neil Back and Lawrence Dallaglio among the absentees.
Dawson, a titan of English rugby, boasts an illustrious career as one of the most capped scrum halves in history. Revered by Northampton and Wasps, he’s also left an indelible mark on the international stage, representing England and the British and Irish Lions. In 2021, he was rightfully enshrined in the RugbyPass Hall of Fame.
Born on October 31, 1972, Dawson’s journey began on school rugby fields before joining Northampton Saints in 1991. Over almost 250 games until 2004, he celebrated victories like the Heineken Champions Cup in 2000. Transitioning to London Wasps, he clinched the Premiership title in his debut season.
Internationally, Dawson’s impact was profound, earning 77 caps for England from 1995 to 2006, notably contributing to the 2003 Rugby World Cup triumph. His skillset was further showcased on three consecutive British and Irish Lions tours from 1997 to 2005.
Post-retirement in 2006, Dawson seamlessly transitioned to media, captivating audiences on television and radio while championing various charitable causes
Read on to see Matt Dawson’s all-time England XV.
Matt Dawson’s all-time England XV:
BACK-THREE:
- 15. Jason Robinson
- 14. Rory Underwood
- 11. Ben Cohen
CENTRES:
- 13. Jeremy Guscott
- 12. Manu Tuilagi
HALFBACKS:
- 10. Jonny Wilkinson
- 9. Dikie Jeeps
FRONT-ROW:
- 1. Gary Pearce
- 2. Steve Thompson
- 3. Jason Leonard
SECOND-ROW:
- 4. Maro Itoje
- 5. Martin Johnson
BACK-ROW:
- 6. Tim Rodber
- 7. Richard Hill
- 8. Dean Richards
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