Dallaglio sorry for Ashton attack

Lawrence Dallaglio has apologised for his attack on England head coach Brian Ashton.

The Wasps and England back row was scathing of the preparations for the recent World Cup in his new autobiography, claiming the squad felt like a "pub team" and that Ashton "didn't have" the skills needed for his job.

"People are entitled to their opinions. I didn't set out in this book to embarrass anyone, to make bad comments about other people, and if that's happened I apologise," he told Sky News.

"But I think it would have been wrong of me not to finish with the 2007 World Cup the same way as I have tried to achieve through the book, which is just to be honest and open with my opinions.

"The timing obviously wasn't great, the dust is yet to settle on the World Cup, and if that's caused a problem then I apologise unreservedly.

"But people will hopefully read the book and think it's reasonably balanced."

Dallaglio was restricted to a fringe role after starting in England's under-par opening 28-10 win over the USA.

But the 35-year-old added: "I don't want people to think I've come back from the World Cup a bitter player. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, albeit very different to four years ago.

"What I said in the book, and I'm not so sure it came across as balanced as it should have done, was that Brian Ashton was a very good coach and I did enjoy working with him throughout the World Cup, as I enjoyed working with all the other coaches."