One thing is for certain - there will never be another Lawrence Bruno Nero Dallaglio.

The great gladiator of English rugby fights his final battle on Saturday when Dallaglio's beloved Wasps tackle arch-enemies Leicester for the right to be crowned Guinness Premiership champions.

Some farewells are scripted, and Dallaglio exiting Twickenham cradling yet another major trophy has probably already been written.

You wouldn't bet against it. In fact, how could anyone bet against it, given a momentous career that has seen Wasps' finest prove himself time and time again as a born winner?

World Cup, Six Nations, Heineken Cup, Premiership title, Anglo-Welsh Cup - you name it, Dallaglio has been there and done it.

Whereas Richard Hill, possibly England's finest back-row forward of all time, bowed out in Milton Keynes three weeks ago, Dallaglio's departure from the game he has graced for so long will happen before a Twickenham full house on live television.

While neither rugby warrior did anything by halves, Dallaglio was more fanfare to Hill's soliloquy.

Stunning players both, Dallaglio is now poised to join Hill in retirement following a career that saw him win 85 England caps, feature on three Lions tours and lead Wasps to the peak of European club rugby.

There was controversy, too, when he resigned the England captaincy following a News of the World 'sting' published nine years ago last week alleging Dallaglio had taken and dealt drugs.

They were allegations Dallaglio vehemently denied, but he was fined £15,000 by the Rugby Football Union after admitting a disrepute charge, and his career seemed on the rocks.

It probably took all of Dallaglio's revered strength of character to complete a spectacular recovery process as he went on - once again - to star for club and country.

Most rugby fans will remember Dallaglio for exploits in the white of England or red of the Lions, but I believe one word tells his story more aptly than any other - Wasps.

The once unfashionable club with a quaint old ground in Sudbury, north London, was where he learnt his trade.

He joined Wasps as a teenager, but quickly became part of the fabric to such an extent that he effectively kept the club going during a difficult 1995-96 season.

Wasps and England fly-half Rob Andrew joined Newcastle in the first major move of rugby's professional era that autumn - some of his team-mates went with him - but Dallaglio pieced things together and less than 18 months later, he had a league title to celebrate.

Wherever Wasps went - Sudbury, then Loftus Road, followed by Adams Park in Wycombe - so Dallaglio led the way, personifying the club's "once a Wasp, always a Wasp" mantra.

At the peak of his powers, of course, Dallaglio could probably have chosen any club in Europe to play for.

Opportunities were there, but loyalty always topped his agenda, and how Wasps have benefited from a player they regard as their jewel in the crown.

Wasps and Dallaglio have landed two European titles, three Premiership crowns, an Anglo-Welsh Cup success and European Challenge Cup final victory during the past five seasons.

It all seems such a far cry from the day he made his Wasps debut, ending up as a replacement on the wing for Chris Oti!

What a way to go - a Premiership final against Leicester at Twickenham in the Wasps shirt Dallaglio has graced like no other player.

It is exactly as the great man would have wanted.

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Talking of farewells, there will be a similarly emotional gathering after the final whistle has blown at Twickenham on Saturday.

Not on the pitch or in the dressing room this one, but an ordinary function room where an extraordinary individual will be acclaimed by many of those privileged to know him.

Alastair James Hignell played rugby for England, Bristol and Cambridge University. He also played cricket for Gloucestershire and Cambridge University.

An outstanding sportsman developed into an outstanding broadcaster, and Higgy, 52, bows out this weekend with his final game for BBC Radio Five Live.

Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis nine years ago, Higgy has fought his illness with dignity and astonishing courage, never complaining - always smiling.

Newspaper, radio and television colleagues will raise a glass or four to this inspirational man on Saturday evening when tributes and anecdotes will also flow in equal measure.

Officially, Higgy is retiring, but his work as a magnificent fund-raiser will continue. He is patron of the MS resource centre (www.msrc.co.uk).

Hignell and Dallaglio never played in the same team, of course, but if they had, there could only have been one title for it - Heroes United.