Lawrence Dallaglio: Rugby World Cup Champion Parts With Medal Amid Bankruptcy After Divorce
- Lawrence Dallaglio auctioned off a collection of career memorabilia at Budds Auctioneers following a difficult period in his personal life
- The 2003 Rugby World Cup winner's medal was among the headline lots, drawing significant interest from bidders
- The total collection of Dallaglio's collection of career memorabilia raised £100,500, falling well short of the £180,000 pre-sale estimate
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Lawrence Dallaglio's 2003 Rugby World Cup winner's medal has fetched £54,000 (approximately R1.2 million) at auction, as the England rugby legend parted ways with some of the most prized possessions from his decorated career. The sale at Budds Auctioneers followed Dallaglio, 54, being declared bankrupt after his divorce.
The medal from England's historic victory over Australia in Sydney was the standout lot, but it was far from the only piece of history on offer. His 2003 Six Nations winners medal sold for £7,500, while a British and Irish Lions cap brought in £11,000. A wider range of items, including domestic medals and individual accolades, also went under the hammer.
Despite strong interest, the collection fell short of expectations. Pre-sale estimates had the haul pegged at around £180,000, but the total realised was £100,500.
Dallaglio opens up about financial struggles
Dallaglio had spoken candidly about the circumstances leading to the sale. In a 2025 appearance on the [High Performance Podcast](https://www.highperformance.co), he addressed the situation directly:
"As a result of getting divorced, I was made bankrupt. I had some financial problems — I could've done things a lot better."
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The admission gave context to a sale that many rugby fans found bittersweet, given how central Dallaglio was to England's golden era.
A career etched in rugby history
Few players left a mark on English rugby quite like Dallaglio. He earned 85 caps for his country between 1995 and 2007, captaining the side on 22 occasions. His Lions record was equally impressive: three tours and three Test appearances.
The 2003 World Cup final in Sydney remains his defining moment. Playing at No. 8, he was on the field for the full 80 minutes plus extra time as England edged the host nation to claim the Webb Ellis Cup.
It was the crowning achievement of a career that also included four Six Nations titles, won in 1996, 2000, 2001, and 2003, the last of which came as part of a Grand Slam sweep.
Lions coach takes Erasmus’ advice after defeat
Briefly News previously reported that Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen was preparing his 30-man squad for a demanding European tour after the team suffered a 57–15 defeat to the Bulls on Saturday, 10 October 2026.
Van Rooyen said the Lions needed to regroup quickly ahead of their Investec Champions Cup opener against La Rochelle on Saturday, 17 October. The Johannesburg-based side would then face Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors in the United Rugby Championship.
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Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.
Source: Briefly News
