Lawrence Dallaglio will take the first step in his rehabilitation with an appearance for Wasps in tomorrow's Premiership One match against London Irish at Sunbury.

The flank forward is expected to supplant the Northampton scrumhalf Matt Dawson as England captain for November's World Cup qualifiers, provided he shows he has recovered fully from a longterm shoulder injury.

Dallaglio has not played since the Tetley's Bitter Cup final in May, an outing that caused some controversy since he had already made himself unavailable for England's four-Test summer tour.

His immediate priority must be to regain the world-class form he demonstrated last year after being handed the captain's job ahead of Martin Johnson. With back-row forwards such as Tim Rodber, Ben Clarke, Steve Ojomoh and Martin Corry vying for places at number six or eight, the England coach Clive Woodward may be spoilt for choice.

Ironically Clarke misses Richmond's visit to Bath tomorrow after taking a heavy blow on a shoulder from Ojomoh during last weekend's defeat by resurgent Gloucester.

Phil de Glanville has been left out by Bath, who prefer the Ireland international Kevin Maggs at centre.