'NEWS OF THE WORLD' DENIES SPIKING DALLAGLIO'S DRINKS

The News of the World yesterday dismissed as "nonsense" claims that
its reporters had spiked Lawrence Dallaglio's drinks before the former
England rugby captain admitted taking and dealing in drugs.

Supporters of Dallaglio believe his admissions - which he has since
withdrawn - may have come as a result of something being added to his
champagne, although yesterday the newspaper asked: "Was that.a truth
drug or a lie drug, Mr Dallaglio?"

According to Sara Pearson, Dallaglio's spokeswoman, the rugby
international was not personally claiming his drinks were spiked but
others had made the suggestion to him. She said his partner, Alice
Corbett, believed he had behaved oddly after his two meetings with the
reporters earlier this month. "We're not making these claims because
they are simply not provable," Ms Pearson said. "However, other people
have asked him how he felt [after the meetings] and he told them he
felt very strange. His girlfriend said he seemed odd after seeing the
reporters. He has no recollection of what happened. It's all a blank
to him." Asked how a spiked drink could make a person suddenly
knowledgeable about different types of drugs and their effects, Ms
Pearson replied: "Perhaps these things can dredge up forgotten things
from the past."

Dallaglio resigned as England captain following a report headlined:
"England rugby captain exposed as drug dealer". In the story,
Dallaglio, 27, admitted smoking cannabis and taking ecstasy during
celebrations after the British Lions victory over South Africa in
1997. He also claimed he had made "big, big" money from dealing in
drugs while a student.

Last week he admitted experimenting with drugs when he was younger but
categorically denied ever dealing in them. Yesterday, there were
further drugs allegations, which Dallaglio rejected. "I have not taken
drugs during my rugby career," he said. "I have admitted experimenting
with drugs in my youth, which I bitterly regret. however, I vigorously
refute the suggestion that I have ever dealt in drugs.

"My future lies in the hands of the RFU investigating body and I shall
be co-operating fully with them. I very much look forward to resuming
my career." Suggestions that his drinks were spiked were treated with
derision at the News of the World.

In an editorial yesterday, the paper rejected suggestions that the
player had not seen the bottles of champagne opened in front of him.
"For Mr Dallaglio's information, our tape, watched by the Rugby
Football Union panel, shows the ex-England skipper opening one bottle
himself," the paper said.