Dallaglio to put the brakes on epic cycle ride at Calcutta Cup

He will arrive in time for the Six Nations match between Scotland and England on 13 March after cycling 2,800km from Rome.

Mr Dallaglio will be in the saddle for 26 days as he pedals across the continent, taking in Six Nations matches in Paris, London, Cardiff and Dublin on the way.

He is aiming to raise 1 million for Sport Relief and his own fund, the Dallaglio Foundation, which supports several charities.

Along the route he will be joined by more than 200 other cyclists and he promises there will be celebrity riders among them.

He will set off from Rome on 12 February.