England's 2003 Rugby World Cup hero Matt Dawson has found love again following a remarkable series of personal highs and lows.

The former scrum-half, 54, has experienced marriage breakdown, a terrifying family ordeal and a health scare requiring heart surgery.

But life has taken a happier turn for England's World Cup winner.

Matt Dawson's family life after divorce

Dawson separated from German-born Carolin Hauskeller in 2020 after 11 years together.

The couple share two sons, Alex and Sami, and pledged to remain friends while raising their children.

Son's terrifying meningitis battle

Dawson faced every parent's worst nightmare in 2016 when his youngest son, Sami, contracted bacterial meningitis.

The two-year-old was placed in an induced coma as doctors fought to save his life.

Speaking about the ordeal, Dawson admitted the uncertainty had been incredibly difficult.

Thankfully, Sami recovered and later joined Brentford's youth football setup.

Dawson subsequently became a passionate campaigner for meningitis awareness.

Health scare required heart surgery

The former England international also contracted Lyme disease following a tick bite in 2016.

The infection affected his heart, requiring several operations and 18 months of treatment.

Although Dawson recovered from the infection, he revealed in 2018 that he still needed medication and regular checks for an irregular heartbeat.

Matt Dawson finds love again

Following his divorce, Dawson found happiness with personal trainer and content creator Elizabeth Kerry.

The couple have shared affectionate messages on Instagram, offering fans a glimpse into their relationship.

In a September 2026 post, Kerry wrote:

"Summer 2026 you were everything ☀️☀️ @matt9dawson ❤️"

Dawson responded:

"Best summer of all time baby ❤️ #FLYC"

The exchange suggests the former England star is enjoying a happier chapter away from rugby.

Question of Sport reunion proves a hit

Dawson also reunited with Sue Barker and Phil Tufnell for a hugely popular theatre tour.

Following successful performances in 2025, the trio returned for another UK run in 2026.

The reunion earned an impressive 4.9 out of five stars from 50 Ticketmaster reviews.

One delighted fan wrote:

"Absolutely brilliant, I haven't laughed so much for years."

Another questioned why the BBC had ever replaced the popular trio.

The BBC may have moved on, but Dawson, Barker and Tufnell are still pulling in the crowds.

Matt Dawson's career in numbers 🏉

• 🏆 1 Rugby World Cup – Helped England win the 2003 tournament in Australia.
• 🌹 77 England caps – Represented his country between 1995 and 2006.
• 🏉 101 England points – Scored 16 tries, three conversions and five drop goals.
• 🦁 7 British & Irish Lions Test caps – Represented the Lions across three tours.
• 🏆 3 Six Nations titles – Won in 2000, 2001 and 2003, including the 2003 Grand Slam.
• 👑 9 matches as England captain – Led his country during his international career.
• 🦁 3 Lions tours – Selected in 1997, 2001 and 2005.
• 🏟️ 1 Heineken Cup – Won with Northampton Saints in 2000.
• 🏆 1 Premiership title – Won with Wasps in 2005.
• 📅 2006 – Retired from professional rugby aged 33.