The Wasps coaching staff are urging England to draft British & Irish Lion Lawrence Dallaglio straight back into the team for the Six Nations championship.
The number eight retired from international rugby in September 2004 and this season has fought his way back from the dislocated ankle sustained on last summer’s Lions tour of New Zealand.
Wasps rugby director Ian McGeechan insisted Dallaglio is now back to his best form – and coach Shaun Edwards argued for the inclusion of "one of the greatest players of all time" when England face Wales at Twickenham on February 4.
England coach Andy Robinson was watching from the stands as Dallaglio led the champions to a 21-6 Premiership victory over Newcastle with two tries from wing Paul Sackey and one from scrum-half Matt Dawson.
"I’d be surprised if Lawrence didn’t feature in the Six Nations because I think he’s one of the best players of all time," said former rugby league star Edwards.
"For someone who’s as great as him to say ‘I don’t want to talk my way back into the England team, I want to play my way back in’ shows a lot of humility and it’s a measure of the man he is.
"I’ve played under greats like Ellery Hanley and Dean Bell and he’s up there if not better than all of them as a captain and as a player."
Lions coach McGeechan added: "I think Lawrence is there now. I said it would take about eight games when he came back from the injury.
"His training, gym work, everything he does is first class and he’s committed as ever. He’s still got that hunger."
