Matt Dawson

Matt Dawson is a giant of English rugby and is one of the most-capped scrum halves of all time. A legend for Northampton and Wasps, Dawson was also a regular for England and the British and Irish Lions in his long and illustrious playing career. Matt Dawson RugbyPass Hall of Fame

Born on 31 October 1972, Matt Dawson began playing rugby at school. In 1991, he joined the Northampton Saints and began his distinguished career with the club. Between 1991 and 2004, he featured in almost 250 games for the team and won the Heineken Champions Cup in 2000. He also finished as a runner-up in the Anglo-Welsh Cup three times. However, in 2004, Matt Dawson’s contract wasn’t renewed by Northampton and he joined London Wasps. In his first season with his new side, he won the Premiership title.

Although Matt Dawson is distinguished at club level, it was on the international stage where his talents truly shone. Known for his trademark ‘sniping runs’ and ability to play the whistle well, he thrived in an England shirt and won 77 caps for his country between 1995 and 2006. During this period, he was a crucial part of the England team that won the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

As one of the finest scrum halves of his generation, Matt Dawson also featured on three successive British and Irish Lions tours in 1997, 2001 and 2005.

Since his retirement from professional rugby in 2006, Matt Dawson has been a regular on British television and radio. He’s also known for his charity work.