England rugby legend Lawrence Dallaglio is selling his World Cup winner’s medal as he confronts his ongoing financial troubles following his ‘excessive spending’ and bitter divorce from his wife.
The 54-year-old was declared insolvent last year after he and his wife of almost 20 years, Alice, divorced.
It ended with Dallaglio, who was a key member of England’s 2003 World Cup-winning side, being forced into selling their family home in Richmond, south-west London, for £2.4million last May, after it had been put on the market for £3.3million months earlier.
The day after the sale, the former rugby star was declared bankrupt and was ordered to hand over his share of the proceeds to pay off an overdrawn directors loan of more than £366,500.
Typically, restrictions imposed by bankruptcy end after 12 months in England and Wales but they can be extended by a judge.
Dallaglio received a three-month exemption in May until August 7.
However, the restrictions were extended last month, with reports suggesting he had continued spending – leaving ‘nothing’ to pay his debts.
Now, the former England captain has put his winners’ medal up for auction with an estimate of £50,000 to £80,000.
He was part of the side which beat Australia on their own turf in 2003 to lift the William Webb Ellis trophy following Jonny Wilkinson’s dramatic extra-time drop goal.
Dallaglio, who played 85 times for England, is also parting with his 2007 World Cup runner’s up medal which could go for £10,000.
Lawrence Dallaglio is selling his World Cup winners’ medal after being made bankrupt
The England rugby legend’s lavish spending and divorce from his wife Alice has led to his financial ruin
His 2003 Six Nations winner’s medal from England’s Grand Slam campaign is valued at £5,000.
Dallaglio, 54, is also selling his medals from his illustrious club career with London Wasps.
He won two European cups and three league titles while captaining the club, which are all being sold with individual estimates of £8,000.
His British and Irish Lions cap is priced at £5,500 and his England cap could achieve £5,000.
The overall collection, which also includes his player of the year awards, is set to raise £180,000 at Budds in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire.
The auctioneer said of the World Cup winner’s medal: ‘It was presented to Dallaglio on November 22, 2003 in Sydney, following victory in the Rugby World Cup Final against host nation Australia,
‘England defeated Australia 20-17 after extra time. It was the pinnacle of world rugby and the singular greatest achievement in English rugby history.’
Dallaglio made his England debut in 1995 and retired from international rugby after the 2007 World Cup.
The powerful back row forward played one more season of club rugby, leading Wasps to the 2007-2008 Premiership title, before hanging up his boots. He has since worked in punditry. The sale takes place on October 13.
