Dallaglio's £1m benefit year
Lawrence Dallaglio could generate a staggering £1million from his benefit year thanks to England's Rugby World Cup triumph.
The No8 is one of four England World Cup stars holding testimonial years, along with scrum-half Matt Dawson, centre Mike Catt and hooker Dorian West.
Former England prop Victor Ubogu earned a reputed £200,000 from his testimonial year which set a new bench mark but the World Cup success has changed the benefit year landscape.
According to former England prop Mike Burton, a players' agent and successful hospitality operator, the triumph Down Under is going to rewrite the benefit record books with Dallalgio predicted to be the first to break the £1m barrier.
Burton said: "The biggest single factor in Lawrence's testimonial year is that it is being held minutes after England have won the World Cup. He's a leading light in the team who is at the height of his powers. That's why he could easily get £1m. You have to strike while the iron is hot and it's never been hotter for rugby. Strike now and you will get a fortune."
This is great news for the four charities that Dallaglio has nominated, including the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow fund.
Dallaglio stages the first of his major events tonight - 1700 guests will attend a dinner at Battersea Park. Another dinner will be staged on Wednesday.
Tonight's event is the climax of an amazing day for England's World Cup winners, who will travel around central London in an open-top bus to mark their success, visit Buckingham Palace to meet the Queen and attend a reception with the Prime Minister at Downing Street.
