In the autumn of 2004, he failed to turn up to an England training camp due to a previously arranged commitment to appear on "A Question of Sport", resulting in him being dropped from the England squad for the 2004 Autumn internationals. A return to the 2005 Six Nations was expected and Dawson rejoined the Elite Player Squad for the tournament, playing well enough to earn a place on the 2005 British Lions tour to New Zealand, managed by Sir Clive Woodward.