Matt Dawson MBE
RUGBY
Matthew Dawson MBE was born on October the 31st 1972 in Birkenhead. He was educated at RGS High Wycombe and played his junior club rugby with Marlow Rugby club before joining Northampton Saints in 1991 at the age of 19. In 1993, Matt was a member of the England Sevens team alongside Lawrence Dellaglio that won the first Sevens World Cup in Scotland.
Following on from his World Cup Sevens win, Matt made his international debut in 1995 against Western Samoa and by his retirement at the age of 33 had become Englands most capped scrum half with 77 international appearances – 9 as captain.
During Matts stella playing career he was selected for 3 British and Irish Lions tours to Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. He won 3 6nations championships with Englandin 2000, 2001 and 2003 and most notably, was an integral part of the 2003 World Cup Winning side who beat Australia at the Telstra Stadium in extra time of the final to become the first northern hemisphere rugby world champions.
In 2004 Matt joined Wasps and helped them to the Premiership title in his first season before retiring in 2006 to concentrate on his media career.
MEDIA
Since leaving rugby Matt has excelled in the media field:
Team captain on a question of sport opposite Phil Tufnell
Winner of Celebrity Masterchef 2008
Reached the final of Strictly Come Dancing 2008
Hosted his own tv show with top chef Mitch Tonks – ‘Mitch and Matt’s Big Fish’
Hosts regular phone in shows on radio 5 live
Presented BBC Radio 5 Lives’ Rugby coverage of the Six Nations Championship and the Rugby World Cup
