Latest news with #Dallaglio
Telegraph
4 days ago
- Sport
- Telegraph
Lions referees need time to gel like players, but they have not been given it
Dallaglio, Back and Hill. Nonu and Smith. Gregan and Larkham. These are some of the most memorable combinations of the professional era. Together, they helped to turn great teams into world-beaters. And it is no coincidence that the teams who have dominated the world stage have been built around consistent partnerships. It makes total sense. Players need to be clear on their game plan, they need to be able to predict what their team-mates may do in certain situations and they need to understand each other's strengths and weaknesses. Such combinations, however, take time to grow. They require an assortment of shared experiences and they need to have felt and learnt through adversity. Referees are no different. They need to have an agreed philosophy on how a match should be officiated. They need to agree when a TMO should, and perhaps more importantly, when a TMO should not, get involved. It requires the team of officials to know each other inside out, so when they are under the microscope of the rugby world and performing in front of thousands, they don't have to second-guess each other when under pressure – they just know. And there is no more pressure for a rugby referee than during a Lions series as the past two have shown. During the 2021 series against South Africa, Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus posted a 62-minute rant online about what he perceived to be refereeing inconsistencies. That rant not only led to him being banned for two months from all rugby activities, but it also led to Nic Berry, the referee, stating 'that regardless of the outcome and any sanctions imposed, my reputation as a referee and person will forever be tarnished.' Late in the third Lions Test in Auckland in 2017, Romain Poite awarded a penalty to the All Blacks when replacement hooker Ken Owens caught the ball in an offside position from the restart. The French official then reviewed it with his Australian TMO, George Ayoub, and changed his decision to a scrum. At the time, Steve Hansen refused to condemn the decision in public, but has said since then that the 'thing that annoyed me most about that incident, and still does to this day, is that we haven't had an apology from World Rugby.' I was, and still am, a huge advocate of match officials working regularly together, to ensure nothing is left to chance. It is why when I walked onto the field for the World Cup final with two English referees on the sideline and an English TMO in the stand, I knew we had prepared for every eventuality. We had been there and done that. From European Cup finals to Test series in New Zealand, we had worked together in some of the most pressurised matches the game has to offer. One of the wildest atmospheres I ever refereed in was in the Velodrome in Marseille in 2022 when France played the world champions, South Africa. This was number one versus two in the world, and had been talked up as a dress rehearsal for the World Cup final less than a year later. When it was announced I would be refereeing the match, I was obviously delighted, but couldn't believe that I had been paired with an Irish TMO that I had never worked with before. And to cap it off, Tom Foley, the English TMO, who I had worked with for years and who I had built a wonderful rapport with, was in Scotland working as a TMO for an Irish referee. It didn't make sense, and it definitely didn't set us up with the best chance of success. Following this year's European Champions Cup final, one journalist suggested the TMO almost completely took over the match and 'was on top of every slight spill'. And that, in a nutshell, is why match officials need to know each other inside out, so they can all be comfortable with not having a perfect game. Their perfect game will mean more whistle, more scrums and less rugby. A TMO needs to be clear that their role is not to analyse every possible knock-on, or every potential forward pass, but just to get the big calls right. Unless match officials work together regularly, how do they know what is a big decision for one and what is a TMO taking over the match for another? And there lies my concern. Before the first Test, Andy Farrell will be making decisions around the best combinations. But the four match officials have not all been in Australia honing their team. Ben O'Keeffe and Richard Kelly were officiating Fiji v Scotland in Suva last weekend while Andrea Piardi and Nika Amashukeli – who will referee Tests two and three respectively – refereed the match between the Lions and the Invitational Australia and New Zealand side. O'Keeffe, Piardi and Amashukeli are excellent referees, but they all have a slightly different style and a slightly different way in which they interact with the TMO. They will work hard in the week leading up to the first Test in Brisbane, but they won't be purring like the Nonu-Smith partnership. It's also interesting that, unlike in 2017 and 2021, rather than using a single TMO, World Rugby has decided to appoint three different individuals. Kelly, will be followed by the Frenchman, Eric Gauzins and then Marius Jonker from South Africa will take over in the box for the third and final Test, meaning that the consistency fans want, and expect, may not be there. I was at my best when I had people around me who knew me inside out, knew our game plan and knew when or when not to get involved in the game. That took years of discussions, hundreds of hours in reviewing meetings. The officials will already be working hard to ensure they are aligned and connected come kick-off for the first Test on July 19. But I fear they may not have enough time together to cover all of the possible scenarios that a Lions series could throw up and perform to their best.
Irish Daily Mirror
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Lawrence Dallaglio: It's McCarthy v Beirne to partner Itoje in Lions Test side
Lawrence Dallaglio predicts a shoot-out between Tadhg Beirne and Joe McCarthy to partner Maro Itoje in the Lions' engine room for the first Test against Australia. But former World Cup winner Dallaglio believes Beirne's versatility will be an asset to Andy Farrell - and that the Munster skipper could pop up in the back row too. After Beirne started alongside Lions captain Itoje for their tour opener in Dublin against Argentina, McCarthy will get his first chance to shine in the second row in Saturday's first game on Australian soil against Western Force in Perth. But Beirne starts as the blindside flanker in a back row that also includes Ireland colleague Josh van der Flier and England's young No.8, Henry Pollock. Dallaglio, who went on three Lions tours between 1997 and 2005, speculates that there will be "one or two surprises" in Farrell's first Test line-up. "Hopefully all the players get the opportunity to push themselves forward," said the former World Cup winner with England. "I can sit here and say that Joe McCarthy might be a good foil for Itoje but, equally, it depends on how the back row play. "If Andy Farrell decides to have a shorter back row than normal, then he might have to over-rely on the second row for the lineout. "Tadhg Beirne could easily play in the second row alongside Itoje. I could make a strong case for telling you that he's a player that they would do well to leave out, so there's a number of different combinations for him." The opening loss to Argentina was a blow to morale but Dallaglio insists that the only thing that matters is that the Test series is won by the Lions. "I think people have to remember that and keep that at the front of their minds when they think about selection," he told Betway. "It's certainly the first time I can remember the Lions going down to Australia as favourites. Certainly, in the three series I played in, we were never at any stage regarded as favourites to win the Test series. "Given where Australian rugby was maybe two years ago, the Lions are expected to win the series - certainly by a lot of people who maybe don't follow rugby union that closely. "But anyone who is a big fan of the game would know how much Australia have improved over the last 18 months - certainly more recently under Joe Schmidt with various changes they've made. "It won't be as straightforward or as easy as anyone thinks - when you play a team in any sport in their own country, it's always going to be tough. "Do I expect the Lions to win? The answer is yes on paper, but will it be a straightforward win? The answer is no, and it never is. I would take any kind of win against Australia, especially away from home. "The job of the coach, the job of a group is to come back as winning British and Irish Lions - this great team had not managed to win a Test series for 12 years so it is a responsibility. The onus is on this group of players to try and change that and to come back from Australia as winning Lions."
Wales Online
04-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Lawrence Dallaglio sells £3m mansion to Premier League footballer amid divorce and financial ruin
Lawrence Dallaglio sells £3m mansion to Premier League footballer amid divorce and financial ruin The rugby star's finances have gone through a rocky spell since his divorce from wife Alice Lawrence Dallaglio split from wife Alice has come against the backdrop of financial difficulties (Image:) England rugby legend Lawrence Dallaglio has reportedly been forced to sell his family home for a cut price in a bid to pay off creditors following his recent bankruptcy. According to MailOnline, the 52-year-old had initially hoped to sell his four-bedroom mansion in Richmond, Surrey for £3.3m, having purchased the property 25 years ago during the height of his career. However, it's now claimed the house has been sold at a knockdown price to a young Premier League footballer. Jayden Meghoma is believed to have purchased the property, with Dallaglio subsequently losing out on £600,000. Meghoma, 18, is currently on the books at Brentford having spent last season on loan at Preston North End, and has represented England at under-19 level. The teenager is believed to have purchased the property for £2.7m, which on the face of it is a hefty profit for Dallaglio, who shelled out £925,000 for it in 2001. Article continues below However, it emerged in a recent insolvency court hearing earlier this month that the equity of the home stood at just £1.2m. That hearing was triggered by Dallaglio's estranged wife Alice, who was seeking an 'urgent' order to push the sale of the house through in a bid to save him from potential financial ruin. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. But while the sale has gone through, Dallaglio was still declared bankrupt, with one of his creditors securing the order. Alice's mother Lydia Corbett told MailOnline at the time: "I'm very sad about it. People marry and they divorce, I've been divorced twice so I know what it's like. It's horrible, it's painful for the heart and it's not fair. "He did very well, I loved him, but he's going through a bad phase and we hope he's alright." The sale of his house comes two years after Dallaglio narrowly avoided going bust over an unpaid tax bill believed to amount to around £700,000. Article continues below During those proceedings, the extent of his financial difficulties became clear. It was revealed his sports business, which he set up the year he became England captain in 1997, owed money to a series of creditors and was in danger of being wound up by a court order. Dallaglio agreed to an 'individual voluntary agreement' in order to pay off his debts.
South Wales Argus
23-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Challenge Cup victory can start golden era for Bath, says Dallaglio
Finn Russell and co will hope to bring home the second part of a treble when they take on French side Lyon in the Challenge Cup final at Principality Stadium, live on Premier Sports 1, with a Premiership Rugby Cup victory having already ended Bath's 17-year wait for silverware. They are also heavy favourites to take the Gallagher Premiership crown that narrowly escaped them last season, having already clinched top spot and underlined their position with a thumping win over second-placed Leicester Tigers at the weekend. For Dallaglio, who is part of a 15-strong Premier Sports TV punditry team delivering the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup for Premier Sports, the new broadcasters of international club rugby's premier competitions, feels the Final gives Bath a chance to exorcise some demons from last year's heart-breaking Premiership final loss to Northampton Saints. That day, even after Beno Obano's first-half red card, they were only denied by a late Alex Mitchell try. And former England and Wasps No.8 Dallaglio recalled how victory in the Challenge Cup back in 2002 – coincidentally against Bath – was the catalyst for his club's extended run of success. He said: 'I hate constantly making parallels with my own playing career. But when Wasps embarked on our golden period of success, it all started with the Challenge Cup final. 'Ironically, it was a fixture against Bath in the final that kicked us off. We won that and then went on to win our first Premiership final against Gloucester as well. 'Bath have targeted the Premiership and been the front-runners all season, they have been outstanding in terms of their consistency, but this is a golden opportunity for them to get another trophy in the cabinet. And for them to prove themselves that they are capable of winning these things. 'Having the better team for most of last year's final, even being down to 14 men, they still missed out. They will want to rectify that and win this. If you are going to go on and win the Premiership, there is value in these sorts of games in giving you the confidence that you have got what it takes to win the one-off knockout occasions.' They face a Lyon team that has plenty of star power, including standout Georgian full-back Davit Niniashvili, while they beat Owen Farrell's Racing 92 in the semi-finals. But fresh from a pair of league defeats that has hurt their chances of reaching the Top 14 play-offs, Dallaglio believes that Bath rightly go into the game as favourites, particularly with the proximity of the Welsh capital to the Rec. He added: 'Whenever you take on a French side on a neutral ground away from France, you fancy your chances. The fact it is in Cardiff, and Lyon coming off the back of two defeats, I fancy Bath to be strong favourites. 'For me it feels like a home game – for Bath and Northampton (who play Bordeaux-Bègles in the Investec Champions Cup final on Saturday, also live on Premier Sports 1). They have got to take full advantage of that. They will feel more comfortable than their opponents.' Premier Sports is the home of Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup with 80 games live throughout the competition including this weekend's Finals on 23 and 24 May live from Principality Stadium, Cardiff. Visit: to sign-up for all the action from URC, Top 14, MLR, Japan League One and EPCR rugby at just £11.99 per month.
NZ Herald
23-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Former England rugby star Lawrence Dallaglio declared bankrupt
She was said to have done so in the hope of staving off the imminent threat of Dallaglio being forced into bankruptcy by one of his creditors. Telegraph Sport has been told it was one of those creditors who ultimately secured the bankruptcy order. A spokesperson for Dallaglio declined to comment. The 52-year-old was previously the subject of a bankruptcy petition by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), which it withdrew in September 2023 after saying he had reached an individual voluntary arrangement (IVA) – a binding agreement to pay off his debts. That IVA is now listed on the Individual Insolvency Register as having 'failed' last Tuesday. Dallaglio's financial plight has been well-documented in recent years. As well as narrowly averting being made bankrupt in 2023, his company, Lawrence Dallaglio Limited, previously faced a winding-up petition from HM Revenue and Customs over an unpaid tax bill. Discover more He opted to liquidate the company, since when a report into its financial affairs for the year ending October 2024 stated he was still being chased for hundreds of thousands of pounds loaned to the firm. Dallaglio is not the only former England star – nor member of their 2003 World Cup winning team – to face financial ruin. Phil Vickery had a request to be made bankrupt granted in February last year after reportedly racking up debts to HMRC and others totalling six figures. Telegraph Sport revealed in March that a bankruptcy petition against Ugo Monye had been withdrawn after HMRC said it was unable to find him to serve it. Upon announcing his retirement from rugby in 2008, Dallaglio told the Financial Times: 'I think one has a responsibility to ensure that the taxman does not get everything.' The May 6 hearing before Deputy ICC Judge Stephen Baister centred on an urgent application lodged four days earlier by Alice Dallaglio for an order allowing the immediate sale of the home she shared with her husband for almost a quarter of a century. She was represented at the hearing by Craig Parrett, a director at Isadore Goldman specialising in personal and corporate insolvency. Parrett told the court: 'The completion of the property's set for tomorrow and all the parties are keen to ensure that completion can proceed for the benefit of the first respondent's [Dallaglio's] creditors.' Parrett said the sale price of the property was 'about £2.7 million' but that equity in the home was only 'around £1.2 million'. The sale price appeared to reflect the urgency of cashing in on a property which had been put on the market last year for £3.3m, more than three times its 2001 purchase cost. Parrett told Judge Baister on Tuesday that the conveyancing solicitors acting on the sale of the Dallaglio family home had 'agreed to hold the net sale proceeds'. He added: 'If a bankruptcy order is made, the net sale proceeds will be provided to a trustee. If the bankruptcy order is not made, they'll be provided to the IVA supervisor.' Judge Baister told Parrett he would prioritise the application pending minor modifications. Telegraph Sport has been told the order was subsequently granted. Dallaglio, who was filming with TNT Sports that day, was represented at the hearing by executive assistant Anna Bathurst, who spoke only to convey his apologies for being unable to attend 'due to work'. The Dallaglios are currently going through divorce proceedings after deciding to end their 20-year marriage. They have three children together: Enzo, Ella and Josie. Dallaglio stepped down as England captain in 1999 shortly after allegations emerged that he had used hard drugs, including cocaine and ecstasy, while celebrating the Lions' victory in South Africa two years earlier. He denied the allegations, insisting the newspaper that reported the claims had been involved in an 'elaborate set-up'.
