Lawrence Dallaglio has admitted that he could have played his last game in an England shirt after the controversy surrounding his recent comments on Brian Ashton and the team's World Cup preparation.

The 35-year-old, no stranger to controversy after admitting to being a regular user of cocaine in 1999, made a series of scathing comments in his autobiography about the England head coach in the wake of their 15-6 World Cup final defeat to South Africa and has urged the Rugby Football Union to replace Ashton and consider a foreign manager.

The now-retired Mike Catt also made derogatory comments about Ashton and the team's preparation in his autobiography but has since moved to distance himself from the furore by saying he believes the former Bath coach should remain part of the England set up through any managerial restructuring.

"I'm 35 and I'm pretty realistic," Dallaglio told the Guardian. "I may well have played my last game for England. If you read the comments of certain people they would appear to hope I have."

Rob Andrew, director of elite rugby at the RFU, is leading a review of England's preparations for the World Cup with Ashton yet to find out whether his contract, due to expire on December 31, will be renewed or not.

But with Jake White, who lead the Springboks to World Cup glory last month, expressing an interest in the England job and former Australia coach Eddie Jones, and former Wasps and Ireland coach Warren Gatland also available, Dallaglio is keen for the RFU to look abroad for a replacement for Ashton.

"We're at a crossroads and where we go from here is important," he said. "I'm sure [the RFU] won't be fazed by any comments myself, or anyone else, has made. My attitude would be to say 'let's forget about country and nationality' and go with the best for us.

"Some people will see what I have done as a breach of trust and I accept the timing is not ideal. I've always been a firm believer that if you've got strong feelings you should express them. I've spoken to Brian but I think what was said should stay between us."

Pippa Davis / Eurosport