England's World Cup-winning scrum half is the definition of an all-rounder. Since hanging up his boots he's proved himself as a quiz show captain, a budding chef and a deft ballroom dancer. But before all that he was one of the driving forces behind English rugby's finest hour.
An effervescent, aggressive scrum-half, Dawson never gave his opponents a moment's peace and embodied the fighting spirit which led England to victory in Australia in 2003. By then one of the senior members of the squad, his experience proved as vital as his ability as England one a series of tight games to clinch the title – none tighter than the final against Australia at the Telstra Stadium.
It was Dawson who threw the crucial pass to Johnny Wilkinson as the nation held its breath and the fly-half sent that historic drop-goal between the posts. Six years earlier he had played a pivotal role in the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa. Rob Howley's injury on the tour gave Dawson his chance and he seized it with both hands, securing the number nine jersey ahead of Austin Healey. He justified his selection in the first test against the Springboks, throwing an outrageous dummy to run through for the winning try. The Lions would go on to win the second test as well and take the series 2-1 against the world champions.
A natural leader, Dawson was the first choice to deputise for Martin Johnson whenever the captain was out injured and he took charge for the entire 2000 Six Nations. In his career he racked up 40 caps in the Five Nations and its successor the Six Nations, winning the Grand Slam in 1995 and again in 2003. His club career was spent at Northampton and Wasps. Dawson played at Franklin's Gardens for 13 years before making the move south. In his first year in London with Wasps he won the Premiership title.
The scrum-half retired from the game in 2006 and has since become a television personality. He captains a team on the quiz show A Question of Sport, won the cooking contest, Celebrity Masterchef and came second in Strictly Come Dancing. He certainly has not left rugby behind though and is still a regular pundit and commentator on the game.