Matt Dawson
England's most capped scrum half until passed by Danny Care, and a 2003 Rugby World Cup winner.
Matt Dawson is an English retired rugby union player who played scrum half for Northampton Saints and then London Wasps. He was part of England's 2003 Rugby World Cup winning side and won 77 caps for his country, including nine as captain. Dawson was best known for his trademark 'sniping runs' and often scored tries from 'tap and go' penalties. He could also demonstrate his versatility by kicking goals when called upon. Since retiring, he has become a team captain on A Question of Sport and is a commentator and presenter on BBC Radio 5 Live's rugby programme.
- Affiliation
- England / Northampton Saints / London Wasps
- Status
- Retired
- Key Achievement
- 2003 Rugby World Cup Winner
- Tournament Record
- Six Nations Grand Slam Winner (2003)
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Dawson made his international debut for England on 9 April 1995 against Argentina at Twickenham. He went on the 1997 British Lions tour to South Africa as third-choice scrum-half, but after injury to Rob Howley, Dawson became first-choice and started the Test series. In the first Test with ten minutes to go, he broke from the base of a scrum and threw a dummy pass that allowed him to scamper in for the winning try. That victory was the start of a 2–1 series win, sealed when Jeremy Guscott landed a drop goal in the final minutes of the third Test to make the score 18–15. Dawson first captained England on 15 November 1997 against Australia.
In Their Own Story
With less than a minute remaining in extra time of the 2003 World Cup final against Australia in Sydney, Dawson made a completely unexpected break, gaining a vital 20 metres upfield. From the later ruck he fed the ball to Jonny Wilkinson for the winning drop goal. Earlier that year, he won his 50th cap against Ireland on the same day England won the 2003 Six Nations Grand Slam. His career nearly ended after sustaining a neck injury during the record 53–3 win against South Africa in November 2002, when he was headbutted by Springbok skipper Corné Krige. In the autumn of 2004, he failed to turn up to an England training camp due to a previously arranged commitment to appear on A Question of Sport, resulting in him being dropped from the England squad for the 2004 Autumn internationals.
Reader's Guide
Dawson's Six Nations career included captaining England in the 2000 Six Nations, often in the absence of Martin Johnson. He was an integral part of the England side that won the 2003 Six Nations Grand Slam, winning his 50th cap on the same day. He returned to the England fold in 2006 but had limited opportunities in a disappointing Six Nations campaign as Harry Ellis started at number nine for four of the five matches. Dawson's international career saw him compete with Andy Gomarsall, Austin Healey, and mostly Kyran Bracken for the England number 9 shirt. He toured with the British & Irish Lions three times: 1997 to South Africa, 2001 to Australia, and 2005 to New Zealand.
Did You Know?
- Dawson won Celebrity MasterChef in September 2006, beating Roger Black and Hardeep Singh Kohli.
- He came second in Strictly Come Dancing in 2006, only beaten in the final by cricketer Mark Ramprakash.
- Dawson revealed in 2017 he had contracted Lyme disease after being bitten by a tick in a London Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Matt Dawson?
Matt Dawson is a retired English rugby union scrum-half who earned 77 caps for his country and captained the team nine times. He played his club career primarily with Northampton Saints and London Wasps before transitioning into media work.
What were Matt Dawson's key playing strengths?
He was famous for his trademark 'sniping runs' where he would exploit gaps in defense, often scoring tries from tap-and-go penalties. Additionally, he displayed notable versatility by successfully kicking goals when the situation required it.
Why is Matt Dawson considered a legend of English rugby?
Dawson holds the distinction of being England's most-capped scrum-half until Danny Care surpassed his record, and he was instrumental in winning the 2003 Rugby World Cup. His leadership during that era also included securing a Six Nations Grand Slam for England.
What did Matt Dawson do after retiring from professional rugby?
Since hanging up his boots, he has become a regular team captain on the television show 'A Question of Sport.' He is also well-known as a commentator and presenter on BBC Radio 5 Live's rugby coverage.
Did Matt Dawson win any major tournaments with England?
Yes, he was a pivotal member of the squad that secured victory in the 2003 Rugby World Cup. That same year, he helped England achieve a Six Nations Grand Slam title under his leadership.
More in Legendary Players & Captains
Related in Six Nations Rugby
Links follow this subject's own source article.
Elsewhere in the Six Nations Rugby universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record