The powerful Wasps forward was reinstated as skipper for the RBS 6 Nations by Sir Clive Woodward last week to usher in his second stint in charge - he ended the first in May 1999.

Dallaglio led England on 14 occasions before his resignation but at 31 he is now a seasoned campaigner and realises that the changing rugby landscape has altered what is required from an international skipper.

People ask how my captaincy will have changed from when I first took over, but I think the game has changed immeasurably since I was in charge, he said.

When I took over it was Clives first game as coach and my first game as skipper. Our immediate fixture list read Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and New Zealand which was a novelty for an England team. We play those games regularly now.

Also the face of club rugby has changed in the last few years - the game has moved on to another level. The relationship between the clubs and the Rugby Football Union has moved on now and its a lot smoother.

When I first took control along with Clive we were involved in a number of issues that werent necessarily our business, but we had to play our part.

Those sort of issues dont exist so much now - weve all learned lessons and all moved on. The structure that Clive has in place now is vastly different. We were skiing uphill for the first two years from 1997.

And, of course, on the pitch Im 35-40 games better off in terms of experience. Ive had some highs and lows throughout that time. It would be wrong to suggest things are the same.

Dallaglios re-appointment as skipper is not the first time he has been offered the job since resigning - he was scheduled to lead England on the tour to Argentina in June 2002 but was forced to withdraw through injury.

Id never really thought about the captaincy since I stepped down. I did get offered it, contrary to some peoples knowledge, prior to the trip to Argentina. Sadly I had to withdraw with a broken hand, he said.

The captaincy went to Phil Vickery and he did an excellent job. And obviously when Martin Johnson came back he took over again, and everyone knows the job hes done so there was no need to discuss the matter.