Lawrence Dallaglio is to auction his 2003 Rugby World Cup winner's medal next month after being declared bankrupt, becoming the latest member of England's 2003 squad to face serious personal and financial difficulties.
The former England captain, who lifted the Webb Ellis Cup alongside Martin Johnson in Sydney 23 years ago, is understood to have been declared bankrupt. The former number eight has made the decision to sell one of the most treasured possessions of his career.
MND diagnosis for Lewis Moody
Flanker Lewis Moody was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) last year. A recent TNT Sports documentary laid bare the impact on him and his family. Going public with his diagnosis nearly a year ago, the 48-year-old revealed he had suffered shoulder weakness before seeking medical attention, with scans revealing the life-shortening, incurable illness.
Moody, who came off the bench late in the 2003 final, admitted the diagnosis came as a "huge shock" and was "incredibly hard" to process, but vowed to "continue to embrace life" with his family. He has since received support from across the rugby world.
Dementia and CTE among players
Hooker Steve Thompson was diagnosed with early onset dementia and probable Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) in late 2020. Thompson, 42 at the time, played all 100 minutes of the 2003 final but recalls nothing from the match and often fails to remember his children's names. He is one of more than 1,000 former players in a concussion lawsuit against World Rugby, the Rugby Football Union and the Welsh Rugby Union.
Phil Vickery, who started alongside Thompson in the front row, is also part of the lawsuit. The former prop has undergone a dramatic body transformation, losing six stone to become a bodybuilder. He was declared bankrupt in 2024, following a divorce, the death of his father and the closure of his restaurant business. Scans later showed he has probable CTE.
Financial struggles and a new charity
Ben Cohen, who started on the left wing in Sydney, sold his winner's medal during the pandemic due to serious financial difficulties. He later split from Kristina Rihanoff amid business debts of around £1 million, with their joint yoga venture, Soo Yoga Group, running up debts of just shy of £488,500.
Cohen has helped launch the Champions 2003 charity with former teammate Matt Dawson, aiming to support those transitioning out of rugby with physical and mental health issues. "Everyone faces the same challenge in leaving sport," Cohen told The Independent. "How do I reinvent myself? I've got no education or further education. Who am I?"
