Former England captain Matt Dawson was never one to suffer fools on the pitch, and he doesn’t pull any punches as a pundit either.
The Englishmen is pure box office and he’s good value whenever he’s in the TV studio on the radio because he isn’t afraid to say what he really thinks, even if it might upset a few people.
We’ve looked at three times where Dawson has let his opinion be known on former teammates or current stars.
#1. Owen Farrell
Dawson, who has been critical of the England captain in the past, penned an article headlined ‘ Owen Farrell holding England back in Six Nations‘ back in February.
The former scrumhalf went onto call on Farrell to be dropped from the matchday squad entirely.
“Farrell was scrapping, fighting and was lucky he was not punished for a late tackle on Italy scrum-half Stephen Varney,” wrote the 2003 World Cup winner. “He is on the edge. He will not like it, but we have all been there and it has got to be recognised by selection.
Embed from Getty Images“It does not mean Farrell is not going to be a world-class player, but there just needs to be a bit of coaching and training – maybe away from the side. Something needs to happen, because it is holding England back.
“There were moments when he was not sharp, dropping the ball or knocking it on. That may be because he has not been playing while Saracens wait for the Championship to begin.
“You do not lose your world-class status and talent because of a couple of poor games, but it has been an extended period where he has not been lighting it up.”