Rugby Union: Dallaglio back in the fold
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.LAWRENCE DALLAGLIO will rejoin his England colleagues for the first time since drug allegations were made against him when the squad gather for preliminary World Cup fitness tests at a venue near Twickenham today.
The England coach, Clive Woodward, will not know if his former captain will be available for World Cup duty in October until a Rugby Football Union inquiry reports on the newspaper allegations that Dallaglio dealt and took drugs.
Dallaglio resigned the captaincy following the allegations, which he strenuously denied, and stayed at home while the rest of the squad travelled Down Under for a training camp and Test match against Australia last month.
But Woodward believes it is essential that the Wasps flanker is part of the squad's preparations to ensure continuity if he is eventually freed to play in the World Cup.
Woodward will stage the practice session at St Mary's College, Strawberry Hill, a couple of miles from Twickenham, where England used to train when he was a Test player in the early 1980s.
The England coach's immediate concern is the fitness of two key men, the outside-half Paul Grayson and the centre Will Greenwood, whose domestic seasons were wrecked.
Greenwood has not played since the World Cup qualifiers in November because of a groin problem and Grayson limped out of the Five Nations with a knee injury.
Woodward has set a deadline for confirmation of recovery this month, but England would enter the World Cup with a threadbare midfield if the two experiences campaigners were forced to drop out.
Cardiff are set to unveil the Wales outside-half and record points scorer Neil Jenkins as their latest signing today.
Jenkins will complete his move from Pontypridd to Cardiff in a deal which is expected to earn his former club more than pounds 200,000.
The deal will also see the former Pontypridd player Lee Jarvis switch back to Sardis Road from Cardiff. Jenkins will sign a four-year deal worth between pounds 400,000 and pounds 500,000, a record amount in Welsh domestic rugby, and will form an all-international half-back pairing with the Welsh captain and scrum-half, Rob Howley.
The Cardiff rugby club chairman, Peter Thomas, and club director Gareth Edwards will be present at a news conference to held at Cardiff Arms Park.
A statement from the club read: "Cardiff rugby club will be staging a press conference at 12.30pm on Monday 19 July to announce a major new signing."
The Pontypridd chief executive, Cenydd Thomas, confirmed: "We are close to a deal."
Jenkins scored 2,943 points in 213 appearances for his home town club.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments