Dawson set to battle for England spot
Matt Dawson will be back on England duty next week for the first time since collecting the Six Nations trophy in Dublin five months ago.
His recall is due to be announced tomorrow, paving the way for a renewed challenge to Kyran Bracken and the resumption of a scrum-half duel which began seven years ago. Dawson's selection is expected to be the only addition to England's training squad following their defeat in Paris.
While Bracken will surely continue against Wales at Twickenham on Saturday week, his rival's return to the bench instead of the 20-year-old Harlequin, Nick will signal the of a miserable run. When Dawson last played for England, against Ireland last October, he did so amid the expectation of a Grand Slam.
Instead, a home win left the English losers to stand on the winner's podium as the Six Nations champions while the Irish were ecstatic. For Dawson, forced to hobble off before half-time, the anguish did not end there. Dropped along with seven others, he has missed England's six subsequent matches, a sequence extended by further injury during the European Cup tie in Glasgow early in the New Year.
But a high-level contribution towards Northampton's 38-7 Powergen Cup semi-final win over Newcastle has convinced England he is ready for a recall. Meanwhile, theWelsh Rugby Union meet tomorrow amid rumblings of the players going on strike in support of club demands for a better deal.
The so-called 'Gang of Six' - Cardiff, Newport, Swansea, Llanelli, Bridgend and Pontypridd - want their share of proceeds doubled to £1.5million per club, per season. And if players carry out their strike threat then the home match against Scotland on April 6 could be hit.
