Dallaglio stays in contention

Lawrence Dallaglio will not rule himself out of contention for the British and Irish Lions' tour to New Zealand next June, as Martin Johnson did yesterday.

Johnson is almost certainly going to be involved in a testimonial game at Twickenham on the day of the Lions' first game down under.

But in an interview with The Daily Telegraph, Dallaglio made it clear he is keen to take on the All Blacks again, despite retiring from the international scene.

"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.

"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 have to look too far will he?"

Sir Clive Woodward, who will coach the Lions on their tour this year, has refused to rule out players who are retired from the international scene, but has said that it would be difficult to select someone who is not at the highest level of the non-international game.