DALLAGLIO FACTFILE Born: 10 August 1972 Club: London Wasps Club honours: League title 1997, 2003, 2004, 2005 Tetley's Cup 2000 Parker Pen Challenge Cup 2003 Heineken Cup 2004 England caps: 73 Lions caps: 3 International honours: World Cup 2003 Five/Six Nations Championship 1996, 2000, 2001, 2003 World Cup target drives Dallaglio

When Lawrence Dallaglio announced his retirement from international rugby in August 2004, he said he had instinctively known it was the right time to stand down.

But the disappointment of ending last year's Lions tour on crutches has prompted a change of heart by the 33-year-old.

England coach Andy Robinson is due to name his squad for the forthcoming Six Nations tournament on Wednesday, and the rugby world is waiting to see whether Dallaglio will return to the fold.

With the 2007 World Cup looming and a new generation of English back-row talent - the likes of Magnus Lund, Ben Skirving and James Forrester breaking through - opinion is divided over the wisdom of turning to Dallaglio.

BBC Sport brings together some of the views over whether Dallaglio deserves the chance to prove himself in the Test arena again and runs through the likely scenarios.

LAWRENCE DALLAGLIO, the man himself:
"I'm all for development, but a crucial part of development has to be winning.

"We won the World Cup with older guys than me.

"You've got to make judgements on form, not age. I've got two years left and that includes the World Cup.

"But I want to play, not talk, my way back."

ANDY ROBINSON, England coach:
"I would love Lawrence to put himself forward to play for England again. He is still a great player.

"The crucial thing is for him to get back playing and get back to where he used to be.

"It would be hard to ignore a Lawrence Dallaglio who was playing the way he was last season."

(speaking in October 2005, has maintained a diplomatic silence since)

JOSH LEWSEY, Wasps team-mate and England full-back:
"With Lawrence, it's not just a playing issue. Because of the character he is, it would change the dynamics and the leadership.

"It's a big decision for Andy Robinson, but it's a nice one to have - he's got an embarrassment of riches there.

"He's a pretty fit guy and keeps himself in shape."

MARTIN CORRY, England captain and fellow number eight:
"This is maybe like turkeys voting for Christmas, but we want to see the best players on the park for England.

"If Andy Robinson wants to bring him in, it's his neck on the block.

"I believe the captain should be guaranteed his place and if Andy Robinson feels he wants to move the captaincy, then fine."

SHAUN EDWARDS, Wasps head coach:
"I'd be surprised if Lawrence didn't play in the Six Nations. I think he's one of the best players of all time.

"For someone who is 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."

Have Your Say Should Dallaglio be included in England's Six Nations squad?

"He's a good man to have around but could be seen as a backward step." - Briztol

"We need to look at what is best for England, not what is best for Lawrence. Our future is in players like Ben Skirving or Jordan Crane, not Dallaglio." - EP

"If we're going to have a genuine chance of winning the World Cup, we need a mix of youth and experience in the back row." - Richie

"Dallaglio has certainly done enough to warrant selection - anyone that has followed his season would agree." - JS

End of the line:
Robinson draws a line in the sand by leaving Dallaglio in the cold and calling on a new generation of back-rowers. Dallaglio left to vent his frustrations on a series of unfortunate Guinness Premiership opponents.

Half-way house:
Dallaglio returns to the squad as an elder statesman who can impart some of his immense experience to the youngsters and is used chiefly as an impact player. Corry retains the captaincy and the number eight jersey.

Making room:
Robinson shuffles his back-row options and plays Dallaglio and Corry in the same starting line-up, one at blindside flanker and the other at number eight.

The prodigal son:
The veteran makes his second return from international exile, and comes back as captain with Corry making way. Unlikely, but stranger things have happened.