Dallaglio will miss winning feeling

Lawrence Dallaglio confirmed his plans to retire from all rugby at the end of this season, and admitted: "The biggest thing I will miss is winning."

The former England captain, who helped his country win the World Cup in 2003, has retired from international rugby with immediate effect after winning 85 Test caps. He will call time on his Wasps career in May.

Dallaglio, 35, said: "I will miss playing rugby. I will miss the challenge of going up against some of the best players in the world. There isn't a better feeling you can get than winning a game of rugby alongside your team-mates."

He has enjoyed remarkable success at both club and international level during a 17-year career which has spanned the amateur and professional eras.

He cites the British and Irish Lions series victory over South Africa in 1997 as the pinnacle of an international career which also included two World Cup finals.

At club level, Dallaglio has been central to the most successful era in Wasps' history, captaining the club to a hat-trick of Premiership titles and two Heineken Cup triumphs.

"It has been a huge honour to play with the Wasps club since 1990 and be part of a successful team," added Dallaglio.

"I have played for England since 1995 with and against some of the best players in the world. I am hugely privileged and honoured to have done that, to have captained England and to have been part of a very successful England side."