Matt Dawson returns to Question of Sport next week after finding love again

Saturday, 22 February 2025 at 08:18

byRugby Rucker

Legendary
Question of Sport captain Matt Dawson announced in 2020 that he and wife Carolin Hauskeller had separated after 11 years of marriage.

Find your local Greene King and settle in for the 2025 Six Nations!

The rugby star took to social media, stating that their relationship had "taken a different path." Despite the split, Dawson assured fans that they remain committed to co-parenting their two sons, Alex and Sami, and will continue to support each other as friends.

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A Premier Signing: Sami Joins Brentford

In a proud moment for the family, Dawson’s son Sami recently signed with Premier League club Brentford.

This achievement is especially significant given Sami’s remarkable recovery from bacterial meningitis as a toddler. Diagnosed at just two years old, the illness left the Dawson family grappling with an uncertain future.

"Tackle Meningitis": Dawson's Campaign for Awareness

Following Sami’s recovery, Dawson has dedicated much of his time to raising awareness about meningitis. Partnering with GSK’s Tackle Meningitis campaign, he’s used his platform to educate others about the dangers of the illness.

Reflecting on that challenging time, Dawson described the harrowing experience of watching Sami in an induced coma, where the outcome was far from clear.

“You have the immediate worry and not knowing what’s around the corner,” Dawson shared. “It was mentally tough, but we’re some of the lucky few.”

Life After the Split: Dawson Moves On

Since his separation from Hauskeller, Dawson has found new love with personal trainer and social media influencer Elizabeth Kelly.

Known for her motivational posts, Kelly’s Instagram bio reads: “There is no passion to be found playing small – in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.”

Question of Sport return:

A Question of Sport stars Sue Barker, Phil Tufnell and Matt Dawson are set to reunite for a one-off special live tour of the BBC programme in 2025.

The tour – aptly named A Question of... Live – will see the trio back together to entertain audiences with a string of one-of-a-kind live shows, encompassing everything viewers previously loved.

Each show will feature a lineup of special guest sporting legends, with announcements coming closer to the event. But according to Sue, we can expect to see some familiar faces – including Mike Tindall (yes, Zara’s husband!), Andy Murray, and Dion Dublin.

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Fans will also get the chance to challenge themselves, testing their sports knowledge live from their seats, as Matt, Phil, and the gang bring the quiz fun directly to you.

Sue couldn’t be more excited: “I am thrilled to be reuniting with Matt and Phil. We love a quiz. We love a laugh. Can’t wait!!”

Matt echoed the sentiment, saying: “I am delighted to be going on tour with Sue and Tuffers and welcoming back some of our favourite sporting guests from over the years.”

And Phil? He’s just as pumped: “I can’t wait to get back on the road with the dream team of Sue, Matt and me! Good luck Sue in looking after Matt and me and all our great guests.”

The tour kicks off on March 1st, 2025 at the Brighton Centre, before heading to London, Bath, Leicester, Bournemouth, Ipswich, Basingstoke, Torquay, Oxford, Manchester, and Nottingham. Don’t miss out on what’

Tickets available here

Brian O’Driscoll didn’t even blink when asked who his toughest opponent was

orn in Dublin on January 21, 1979, O’Driscoll amassed 141 Test caps for Ireland and the Lions, captaining his country a record 83 times. His dazzling footwork, intelligent running lines, and incredible ability to read the game made him a nightmare for opposition defences. Over his career, he won multiple Six Nations titles, including a Grand Slam in 2009, and left an indelible mark on the sport.

Throughout his time at the top, O’Driscoll faced some of the best players to ever step on a rugby pitch. In interviews spanning several years, including a Q&A with the Six Nations website, he revealed the five opponents who pushed him to the limit.

5. Ma’a Nonu (New Zealand)

Few players in rugby history have evolved as dramatically as Ma’a Nonu. Initially known more for his signature braids and heavy-handed running style, the All Blacks centre developed into a complete midfielder, adding a sharp passing and kicking game to his powerful ball-carrying. His transformation was instrumental in New Zealand’s dominance, culminating in back-to-back World Cup triumphs in 2011 and 2015.

Nonu finished his Test career with 103 caps, forming an iconic partnership with Conrad Smith that was the bedrock of the All Blacks’ midfield for nearly a decade.

Brian O'Driscoll SAID: "Same height as me [5-foot-11] and still 16-stone. Probably the most complete centre in the modern game."

4. Conrad Smith (New Zealand)

Nicknamed ‘The Snake’ for his uncanny ability to glide through defensive gaps with minimal effort, Conrad Smith was the brains of the All Blacks midfield for over a decade. His intelligence, composure, and defensive awareness made him an indispensable part of New Zealand’s success.

Winning two Rugby World Cups (2011, 2015) and earning 94 Test caps, Smith was the ultimate team player. While his attacking flair often flew under the radar, his sharp decision-making and ability to link play made him one of the best centres of his generation.

Brian O'Driscoll SAID: “I thought Conrad Smith was always one of the really difficult ones. He was nicknamed ‘Snake’ I think because of his hips and it doesn’t look like he’s going that fast but jeez, he can travel.”

3. Richard Hill (England)

If ever a player epitomised the term ‘unsung hero,’ it was Richard Hill. A master of the unseen work, Hill was England’s defensive enforcer and breakdown specialist, making life easier for his teammates with his relentless graft.

A key figure in England’s 2003 World Cup-winning squad, Hill could play anywhere across the back row and never sought the limelight—he simply did his job with brutal efficiency. Across 71 caps for England and five for the Lions, his influence was immeasurable.

Brian O'Driscoll SAID: "Richard Hill, England No.6 that won the World Cup in 2003. He was a brilliant teammate but he made that team tick. He was the unsung hero in that World Cup win. He was hard! I always liked playing with guys that were nails in the team, that really stood up and never took a backwards step."

2. Yannick Jauzion (France)

A towering figure at 6-foot-4 and nearly 17-stone, Yannick Jauzion was the archetype of a complete centre. A key part of France’s golden era in the early 2000s, he combined power, finesse, and a sublime offloading game that tormented defences.

With 73 caps for France, Jauzion was instrumental in Toulouse’s European dominance, winning the Heineken Cup twice. His standout moment came in the 2005 Heineken Cup Final, where he was named Man of the Match in Toulouse’s triumph over Stade Français.

Brian O'Driscoll SAID: "Jauzion was just incredible and was so hard to stop, with his offloading ability. France built so much off and around him. 6-foot-4 and probably 17-stone."

1. Jonny Wilkinson (England)

A generational talent, Jonny Wilkinson will forever be remembered for his extra-time drop goal in the 2003 Rugby World Cup final. But that moment only scratches the surface of his influence on the game.

Wilkinson was the ultimate perfectionist, a relentless competitor who combined pinpoint accuracy with fearless tackling and tactical mastery. Across 97 caps for England and the Lions, he scored an astonishing 1,246 points, cementing his legacy as one of the sport’s greatest fly-halves.

Brian O'Driscoll SAID: “Even to just get a snapshot of what his mind works like now and how he thinks about things is pretty eye-opening as to what sort of detail he went into as a player.”

Fan creates insanely tough quiz about Six Nations and says ‘you won’t get all five’

Since its origins as the Home Nations Championship in 1883, the Six Nations has grown into one of the most iconic tournaments in rugby, filled with legendary moments, unforgettable upsets, and record-breaking performances.

Think you know your Six Nations history? Test your knowledge and see if you can prove them wrong!