England World Cup winner Lawrence Dallaglio has shared the heartbreaking news that his father, Vincenzo Dallaglio, has passed away.
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The former England captain confirmed the sad news on Christmas Day, revealing that his father died peacefully following a long battle with dementia. Vincenzo was 91.
Taking to social media, Dallaglio paid a touching tribute to the man he called “Papa” and “Nonno”, describing him as humble, wise and devoted to his family.
“My Papa Vincenzo Dallaglio, our Nonno, passed away peacefully this week after a long battle with dementia,” he wrote.
“Thinking of anyone missing someone they love this Christmas. He was an unassuming, humble and wise Italian man who worked so hard all his life to give me, Francesca and Eileen every chance to shine.”
Dallaglio added that while his father was not originally a rugby fan, he grew into one over the years – even if he struggled to get a word in when sitting next to his wife during matches.
“At 91 Vincenzo truly lived a life and even became a rugby fan along the way, although he never managed to get a word in edgeways when he sat next to my mum Eileen when watching any match!
He is now on his way to join Eileen and Francesca. Rest easy Papa. Rest easy Nonno.”
Dallaglio’s mother Eileen passed away in 2012, while his sister Francesca tragically died aged just 19 in the Marchioness disaster in 1989. The Thames tragedy claimed 51 lives and had a profound impact on the former England skipper, who was just 16 at the time.
The 2003 Rugby World Cup winner has previously spoken movingly about his parents’ journey to the UK and their life in East London.
“My father was Italian by birth and came over to England in the Fifties,” he once said. “He only planned to stay a short time, but then he met my mother.
“They ran a sweet shop in Bethnal Green. It was a tough way to earn a living, but it was a real community back then – everyone still had a smile on their face.”
Dallaglio also spoke proudly of his heritage, adding:
“I’ve got 44 first cousins. Half-Irish, half-Italian makes you quite a dangerous Englishman. I’m proud of my roots, even though I’ve always felt English.”
Dallaglio was a central figure in England’s historic 2003 World Cup triumph and remains one of the most recognisable figures in the sport.
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🔴 JAMES HASKELL
Former England star James Haskell is deep in financial trouble
Court documents reveal he’s locked in a legal dispute with his landlord over damage to property and equipment linked to his failed gym business.
The ex-back rower, 40, launched a F45 gym in Bath back in 2017—but the venture couldn’t survive the pandemic. Now, his company Hask 45 (Bath) Ltd is nearly £1 million in the red.
According to the latest filings, the business is battling a legal claim over unpaid rent and costly repairs, with £927,738 in total liabilities—£437,000 of which is owed to another of Haskell’s own companies.
Big plans to expand the gym chain to London and Manchester were scrapped after COVID hit. Hask 45 (Manchester) Ltdclosed in March 2021, while Hask 45 (Richmond) Ltd followed in September 2022.
Another of his companies, Hask 45 Ltd, has also filed debts of £456,367 as of May 2024.
It doesn’t stop there—two of Haskell’s other sports-related businesses are also in the red. James Haskell Health & Fitness Ltd is down £58,318, and Rugby Connections UK Ltd is £68,855 in debt.
All told, the former Wasps and England man is facing a combined £1.5 million debt pile across four firms.
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