Dallaglio back with an eye on World Cup

Lawrence Dallaglio says his return to the England bench for Saturday's Six Nations opener against Wales is the first step in a journey he hopes will go all the way to the 2007 World Cup final.

The former captain was named on Tuesday among the replacements for the Twickenham clash against the holders and said he was excited by the latest twist in a career that has seen more than its fair share of ups and downs.

"It is a great environment to be involved in," he told reporters at England's Surrey training base. "I'm very pleased to be back and it is an opportunity that will not be wasted."

Dallaglio, 33, turned his back on the international game exactly 17 months ago.

At the time he cited family pressure but has since said that he was also disillusioned by the attitude of some of his England team-mates and coaching staff, particularly in his final game, the 51-15 thrashing by Australia in June 2004.

Last year he toured with the British and Irish Lions but suffered a terrible ankle injury in the opening tour match.

After getting back to action with Wasps he subsequently made himself available to England coach Andy Robinson and once blindside specialist Pat Sanderson was ruled out with a back injury, his inclusion in the 22 was a formality.

Tabloid sting

The former England captain, who lost that honour after being caught in a tabloid sting before bouncing back to become the only man to play every minute of England's victorious 2003 World Cup campaign, says the next step is to get into the starting XV.

Dallaglio will be 35 when England defend the World Cup in France and insists that he has every intention of being involved.

"This Six Nations is the foundation of the 18-month build-up to the next World Cup," he said. "A World Cup is about stringing results together, that's why this tournament is key."