Dallaglio up for Lions tour

Former England captain Lawrence Dallaglio insists he has not given up hope of securing a place on next year's British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand.

The Wasps stars declaration comes after Lions coach Sir Clive Woodward made it clear he will be looking to select players on form shown during the forthcoming RBS Six Nations Championship.

However, Dallaglio firmly believes he could cope with a return to the international arena against the All Blacks in 2005.

"Put it this way, I wouldn't let anyone down I can assure you of that. I know what it takes and I know what I have to offer," said Dallaglio, who toured South Africa in 1997 with the Lions and travelled to Australia three years ago before a knee injury forced him home.

"From what I witnessed at close quarters on Sunday in our Heineken Cup match against Leicester, I certainly didn't feel out of place alongside those players, many of whom will be on the trip.

"If I'm fit and playing well, then I'm most certainly available. If Clive feels he has no need to look outside the international crop, then fine. If he does, then he won't need to look too far, will he?" quotes The Daily Telegraph.

In fact, 32-year-old Dallaglio feels concentrating solely on club rugby this season could actually stand him in good stead if picked for the Lions.

"Well, I'll be in good shape and fresh without another 10 Tests on the clock, won't I?" he added.