Probably the greatest Wasp ever, to retire

In the normal run of things, a Twyford Avenue pre-Leeds press day would be a pretty low-key affair. A few journos would turn up, stand around the bar area, speak to a couple of players and coaches, and that would be it. Today, it was very different. The colossus of the world stage that is Lawrence Bruno Nero Dallaglio had an announcement.

Cameras as far as the eye could see, sponsors’ logo boards standing proudly behind a table groaning beneath the weight of microphones, rows of seats laid out for the Fourth Estate, and standing room only. There were some unfamiliar faces there. One TV hack didn’t even know who Ian McGeechan was!

Perhaps the most extraordinary thing of all was that it started on time – maybe because it was live on TV. Just before midday, in marched the big man, followed by Messrs. McGeechan, Edwards and Copsey.

Lawrence began by saying that he had originally planned to announce his retirement after the Bath game, but the gastric flu outbreak had put paid to that.

With his usual self-deprecating humour, he spoke at length about the reasons behind his decision, his hopes for the future, and of the high points of his glorious career.

He stressed how fortunate he has been, and what a privilege it has been to be part of the club since 1990, making particular mention of the fact that he’s worked with fewer coaches in that time than some players do in five years!

He was asked about his future, and he said that he’s already in discussions with the club about what role he could play. The immediate future will not be in coaching. He doesn’t feel he’s ready for that yet, but he plans to do everything necessary to prepare himself for a coaching role in due course.

When asked to name the highlights of his career, he said that the 1997 Lions tour was the absolute pinnacle, and that there will never be a tour like it again. He then said how wonderful it had been to win the Heineken Cup twice. He said that doing that against such huge sides as Toulouse and Leicester, in the company of the mates with whom you work every day of the week, had been something very special.

He was asked about the impact of foreign players on the domestic game, and observed that they had rather less impact at Wasps than at any other club. He spoke with  enthusiasm and anticipation about the depth of young talent coming through the club, and said that he has absolutely no doubt that Wasps will remain a force for years to come. He made one amusing throwaway comment about how it would be nice to have the occasional club game which doesn’t clash with internationals.

He was asked whether he had ever considered becoming a referee,  to which he replied with a very firm ‘No!’, after which he said that many people think he’s already a ref.

He said that he will really miss playing  the game, as he knows nothing better than working hard with your mates, taking on the best players around, and beating them.

Geech paid tribute to him, saying that he had been an essential part of an exceptional time for English rugby. Shaun described him as the greatest ever rugby captain, and someone who has come through adversity to show what can be achieved by seeing something through. Tony Copsey echoed those sentiments, and repeated that discussions are already under way, to find a suitable role for Lawrence, once he’s played his last game. Shaun chipped in that he did not expect him to be a stranger.

The last words came from Lawrence himself. He said that rugby is the great game it is because it is not about individuals, it is about a team. You cannot succeed in the game if you’re an individual, and it is the team ethos of the game which has meant more to him than anything.