RECORD-BREAKERS AIN’T HALF SPECIAL SAYS DAWSON

MATT DAWSON has paid tribute to the England scrumhalves set to remove his name from the record books.

Ben Youngs (far right) starts his 56th Test against Italy tomorrow, overtaking the World Cup winner’s record of most starts for an England half-back.

Danny Care (right) will then equal Dawson’s landmark for most caps as England scrumhalf when he comes off the bench to win his 77th cap. “I couldn’t think of two more deserving players to be England’s most-capped and most starting scrum-halves,” said the Mirror columnist.

“Primarily I’m proud to call them both my friends and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed watching them help drive England’s current success.

“In such a contact-driven sport, their guile and mind for the game at the highest level is world-class and I’ve the upmost confidence the pair of them will taste even more success in the next year or so.

“It’s a record I’m sure they would have been quietly targeting as I know how immensely proud I was to hold it.

“Their dedication to the game is incredible, but the journey is not yet over. They are desperate for the main goal of World Cup glory and I back them the whole way.”